Equilibrium pH
Measure the finished product after processing and equilibration. Acid type, buffering capacity and particulates can make an ingredient-stage reading misleading.
Food preservative · Acidic systems · E211
Food Grade Sodium Benzoate
Sodium benzoate (E211 / INS 211) is a water-soluble benzoate preservative evaluated mainly in suitable acidic foods and beverages. Product pH, target organisms, heat process, packaging and—in beverages—the presence of ascorbic or erythorbic acid all belong in the qualification plan.
- CAS number
- 532-32-1
- Food additive
- E211 / INS 211
- Formula
- C7H5NaO2
- Reference assay
- ≥ 99.0%
Share particle form, specification, finished-food pH, formula risks, quantity, packing and destination.
Particle choicesPowder · spherical · cylindrical granules
Reference packing25 kg woven bag
Reference MOQ500 kg
Batch qualificationSpecification and COA on request
Product identity
What is food grade sodium benzoate?
Sodium benzoate is the sodium salt of benzoic acid. JECFA identifies it as INS 211, CAS 532-32-1, formula C7H5NaO2 and formula weight 144.11. It is freely soluble in water and supplied commercially as crystalline powder, flakes or granules.
After dissolution, benzoate participates in the benzoic-acid equilibrium. This is why finished-product acidity is central to performance and why ingredient dosage alone cannot predict microbial stability or shelf life.
Preservative system design
What determines sodium benzoate performance?
Sodium benzoate belongs inside a hurdle strategy, not outside it. Define the formulation and process variables before selecting a supplier sample or interpreting a shelf-life result.
Microbial target
Identify spoilage yeasts, moulds and relevant bacteria plus the starting load. Do not describe benzoate as universal pathogen control.
Process hygiene
Review heat treatment, hold time, cooling, filling and post-process contamination. Preservative use does not validate an inadequate thermal process.
Package & storage
Challenge the final package under realistic oxygen, light, temperature, transport and after-opening conditions across repeat batches.
Ingredient compliance is not finished-food validation
A COA can demonstrate the tested sodium benzoate lot against an agreed specification. It cannot demonstrate that a beverage, sauce or filling meets microbiological, sensory or shelf-life acceptance criteria.
Application pathways
Where food grade sodium benzoate is evaluated
These are formulation pathways, not universal approvals or use levels. Confirm the exact food category, maximum level and declaration requirements for the destination market.
Acidified beverages
Evaluate: pH, titratable acidity, benzoate/ascorbate system, flavour, process, light, temperature and package life.
Sauces & dressings
Evaluate: acid distribution, oil/water phases, particulates, hot-fill or cold-fill process, package and after-opening use.
Pickles & relishes
Evaluate: equilibrium pH, brine strength, solid-to-liquid distribution, heat process, seal integrity and storage.
Fruit preparations & fillings
Evaluate: soluble solids, water activity, pH, target spoilage, sensory quality and contamination after processing.
Beverage formulation checkpoint
Review benzoate with ascorbic or erythorbic acid
The U.S. FDA reports that benzene can form at very low levels in some beverages containing both benzoate salts and ascorbic acid (vitamin C) or erythorbic acid. Heat and light can stimulate formation in some formulations.
This is a finished-beverage formulation and storage issue, not evidence that every benzoate-containing drink forms benzene. Review the full recipe, raw-water and metal-ion controls, processing, package, light exposure, temperature and suitable analytical verification.
Read the FDA beverage benzene Q&AAsk before approving a beverage trial
- Are benzoate salts present from added or natural sources?
- Is ascorbic or erythorbic acid present or planned?
- What heat and light exposure will occur through distribution?
- What package and storage conditions represent the market?
- Is the analytical method suitable for the formulation?
Source-specific technical data
Food grade sodium benzoate reference specification
The table reproduces the supplied attachment for procurement screening. Ambiguous labels remain flagged rather than silently rewritten. The signed specification, methods and shipment COA govern acceptance.
Assay, dry basis≥ 99.0%Supplied limit
Moisture≤ 1.5%Method not stated
SolutionClear · Y6Supplied appearance criteria
Separate leadNot statedJECFA limit: ≤ 2 mg/kg
| Test item | Supplied limit | Qualification note |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | White powder or granules | Confirm powder, spherical or cylindrical form |
| Content, dry basis | ≥ 99.0% | Matches JECFA minimum; confirm method |
| Acidity | ≤ 0.2 mL | Titrant, normality and sample basis not stated |
| Moisture | ≤ 1.5% | Confirm whether equivalent to LOD and its method |
| Aqueous solution test | Clear | Confirm concentration and visual method |
| Heavy metals, as Pb | ≤ 10 mg/kg | Not a separate lead result |
| Arsenic | ≤ 2 mg/kg | Supplied limit |
| Chloride | ≤ 0.02% | Definition differs from “total chloride” below |
| Sulfate | ≤ 0.1% | Supplied limit |
| “Oxides” | Meets requirements | Ambiguous source label; request named test |
| Solution colour | Y6 | Request comparator/method |
| “Phthalates” | Meets requirements | Ambiguous source label; request analytes/method |
| Total chloride | ≤ 0.03% | Resolve against chloride ≤0.02% |
| Alternative limits | As agreed with customer | Must be fixed in the contractual specification |
Supplied table versus JECFA
Both specify at least 99.0% assay on the dried basis. JECFA uses loss on drying ≤1.5% at 105°C for 4 hours, while the supplied table says “moisture ≤1.5%” without a method; these should not be assumed identical. JECFA specifies a separate lead limit of ≤2 mg/kg, which the supplied table does not show. JECFA also defines acidity/alkalinity and chlorinated-organic-compound tests differently from the supplied labels.
Independent identity and regulatory references
Review the FAO/WHO JECFA sodium benzoate monograph, Codex GSFA benzoates group and the FDA beverage benzene Q&A. These public sources do not prove a Bespring lot or universal market permission.
Technical content reviewed against the cited public references on 22 August 2026. Commercial specifications and destination-market requirements must be reconfirmed.
Physical form & logistics
Choose powder or granules for the handling system
Particle form affects dust, flow, dosing, dissolution and container loading; it does not change the sodium benzoate chemical identity. Confirm the offered form and loading basis in the quotation.
Powder
Assess dust control, feeder behaviour, dissolution procedure and the stated 16 MT non-palletised or 12.5–13 MT palletised reference loading per 20GP.
Spherical granules
Assess flow, attrition and dissolution; supplied reference loading is 20 MT without pallets or 16 MT with pallets per 20GP.
Cylindrical granules
Assess feeder fit, breakage and dissolution; supplied reference loading is 15.5–16 MT without pallets or 12–13 MT with pallets per 20GP.
Qualification documents
Request the current specification/TDS, SDS, representative COA, shipment COA and only those certificates that apply to the exact product and supplying site. Reconfirm liner, pallet, marks, moisture protection and Incoterm.
Preservative selection
Compare sodium benzoate with related options
Potassium sorbate
Compare target organisms, pH response, sorbic-acid equilibrium, sensory profile and finished-product evidence.
Sorbic acid
Compare acid form, lower water solubility, addition method, pH and active-acid basis.
Sodium diacetate
Compare acetate/acetic-acid functionality, flavour contribution, application fit and sodium strategy.
Calcium propionate
Compare bakery mould/rope targets, dough compatibility and preservation-system conditions.
Storage & handling
Protect sodium benzoate and its particle form
- Store correctlyKeep sealed in a cool, dry, ventilated area away from heat and direct sunlight; the supplied information advises below 30°C where applicable.
- Control moistureProtect bags from humidity, caking, odours and contamination.
- Retain traceabilityKeep original labels, lot identity and suitable stock rotation.
- Use the current SDSApply workplace controls and protective equipment appropriate to the task.
Buyer questions
Food grade sodium benzoate FAQ
Why is sodium benzoate mainly used in acidic products?
After dissolution it participates in the benzoic-acid equilibrium. Finished-product pH and buffering affect the proportion of undissociated benzoic acid, so performance must be tested in the actual formulation.
Can sodium benzoate form benzene in beverages?
FDA reports that very low benzene levels can form in some beverages containing benzoate salts with ascorbic or erythorbic acid, and that heat and light can stimulate formation in some formulations. Review and test the complete beverage rather than assuming every formulation behaves the same way.
Does sodium benzoate replace pasteurisation or sanitation?
No. It may contribute to a validated hurdle system, but it does not validate an inadequate heat process, poor hygiene, unsuitable packaging or uncontrolled storage.
How do powder and granular sodium benzoate differ?
They have the same chemical identity but may differ in dust, flow, feeder behaviour, dissolution and container loading. Qualify the physical form in the actual handling system.
What are the reference packing and MOQ?
The supplied information states 25 kg woven bags and a 500 kg reference MOQ. Container loading varies substantially by particle form and palletisation.
What information is needed for a quotation?
Provide the standard, particle form, food category, final pH, full preservative/antioxidant system, critical limits, quantity, packing, destination, certificates and target date.
Last technically reviewed on 22 August 2026 by the Bespring Chemical technical and export team.
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Specification-led sourcing
Request a sodium benzoate quote
Share the product, formulation and logistics details needed to match the offer and qualification documents.
- Standard and particle form
- Food category, pH and preservative system
- Quantity, packing, pallets and destination
- Required COA, TDS, SDS and certificates