E211 - Sodium benzoate
By the Daat team · Updated October 30, 2026
E211, sodium benzoate, is a preservative for acidic foods such as soft drinks, pickles and sauces.
It only works well in acidic conditions, so you will usually see it next to citric acid (E330) or vinegar. In our catalog it appears in more than a thousand products, mostly salads and sauces.
A fact that comes up a lot: benzoate together with vitamin C can form small amounts of benzene in drinks, and drink makers have changed recipes over the years to limit it.
1,199 products in our catalog contain E211, or 7.1% of those with an ingredient list. Most of them are sauces, spreads and salads and drinks.
E211 at a glance
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Sodium benzoate |
| Function | Preservative |
| Origin | Plant, mineral or synthetic |
| Vegan / vegetarian | Yes / Yes |
Is E211 vegan?
Yes. E211 has no animal source, so it suits both vegans and vegetarians.