Sodium Benzoate
Foodborne illness caused by microbes or pathogens is a common and costly public health problem. Each year, thousands of people are sickened by consuming contaminated foods or beverages. The young and the elderly are most susceptible to food borne contamination. Many different disease-causing microbes or pathogens can contaminate foods, so there are many different foodborne infections. By inhibiting the growth of microorganisms, preservatives help prevent outbreaks of food-borne illnesses.
Sodium benzoate is a salt of benzoic acid, which is naturally present in plant and animal tissues. It is a very effective anti-microbial and anti-fungal preservative. It is commonly used in foods, cosmetics, toothpaste, and pharmaceutical products because of its safety and effectiveness at very low levels.
Sodium benzoate has achieved US FDA GRAS status (generally recognized as safe) as a direct food additive. The FDA allows up to a 0.1 percent concentration of sodium benzoate by weight in foods and beverages. In toothpaste, a much lower concentration can completely prevent bacterial and yeast growth.
It is easily water soluble and doesn’t accumulate in the body. Sodium benzoate is metabolized and excreted in the urine within 24 hours—which contributes to its safety.
