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PureScan
Moderate concernPreservative
E211

Sodium benzoate

A benzoate preservative. With vitamin C (ascorbic acid) it can form small amounts of benzene, a known carcinogen.

What the evidence says

  1. 1Can form benzene when combined with vitamin C, especially in drinks exposed to heat or light
  2. 2EFSA found some children may exceed the acceptable daily intake

Sources

EFSA’s scientific evaluation of E211 (opens in a new tab)

In a PureScan score

An ingredient of moderate concern removes 20 points from the additives and ingredients part of the score. One caps a score at 65, two at 50, and three or more at 40. How we score