What E210 actually is
Benzoic acid stops mould, yeast, and some bacteria growing, but only below about pH 4.5. Because it dissolves poorly in water, manufacturers usually use its sodium salt instead, which is why E211 appears far more often on labels than E210.
What it is made from
Manufactured synthetically. It also occurs naturally in cranberries, prunes, cinnamon, and cloves, and is formed during some fermentations, which is why trace amounts appear in yoghurt and cheese without being added.
Vegan, vegetarian, and halal status
Fully synthetic as an additive, with no animal-derived input, so it suits vegan, vegetarian, halal, and kosher diets.
Is E210 safe?
Benzoates are permitted in the EU, UK, and US. EFSA re-evaluated the group in 2016 and set an acceptable daily intake of 5 mg per kg of body weight per day. Two things are worth knowing plainly. Combined with ascorbic acid and warmth, benzoates can degrade to benzene, which prompted reformulation across the soft drinks industry in the mid-2000s and is now actively managed. And a minority of people with asthma or chronic urticaria report intolerance to benzoates, which is documented though uncommon.
- Can form traces of benzene in the presence of vitamin C and warmth, a known and managed manufacturing issue
- Intolerance reported in a minority of people with asthma or chronic urticaria
- EFSA acceptable daily intake of 5 mg per kg of body weight per day
Where regulators stand
- EFSA (EU)
- Re-evaluated in 2016. Group acceptable daily intake of 5 mg per kg of body weight per day.
- FDA (US)
- Generally recognized as safe, limited to 0.1 percent in food.
Foods it turns up in
- Soft drinks and squash
- Pickles and condiments
- Sauces and dressings
- Fruit juice concentrates
- Naturally in cranberries, prunes, and cinnamon
Names it hides behind
- E210
- Benzoic acid
- Preservative (E210)
- E211 sodium benzoate is the common salt form
Common questions
- What is the difference between E210 and E211?
- E210 is benzoic acid, the free acid. E211 is its sodium salt, which dissolves far better in water and is therefore what most products use.
- Is benzoic acid natural?
- It occurs naturally in cranberries, prunes, cinnamon, and cloves, and forms during some fermentations. The additive is manufactured synthetically.
- Is benzoic acid vegan and halal?
- Yes. It is chemically manufactured with no animal-derived input.
- Can benzoates form benzene?
- In the presence of ascorbic acid and warmth, yes, in traces. It was found in some soft drinks in the mid-2000s and manufacturers now manage the combination deliberately.
- Why only in acidic foods?
- Benzoates only become active as preservatives below about pH 4.5. In a neutral food they simply would not work.
Checking a real pack
This page answers the code. The pack in your hand is what decides, because the same code can come from different sources depending on the manufacturer. LabelWise, formerly SafeChoice, scans the label and explains what is in front of you.
LabelWise content is educational and describes how additives are made, regulated, and labelled. It is not medical, dietary, or religious advice. For certification questions, the mark on the pack and the certifying body are the authority.