Sodium Benzoate
Function: Preservatives
E211 is the European food-additive number for Sodium Benzoate, a preservative — used to extend shelf life by slowing spoilage from microbes. SODIUM BENZOATE is a substance which has the chemical formula NaC7H5O2
What is E211 used for?
Sodium Benzoate (E211) is a preservative — used to extend shelf life by slowing spoilage from microbes. It is added during food production for a technological purpose rather than for nutrition. See all Preservatives (E-numbers).
Is E211 safe or restricted?
E211 is approved for use in the EU but has drawn regulatory attention — its conditions of use or acceptable daily intake have been re-examined by EFSA or equivalent bodies. Forkin classifies it as “Some concern” and does not make health claims. See the methodology for how regulatory levels are assigned, or the guide to how EU additives are approved, re-evaluated and banned.
Is E211 vegan or vegetarian?
Sodium Benzoate (E211) is typically produced from plant, mineral, or synthetic sources, so it is generally suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
The production source can vary between manufacturers — the Forkin app shows product-specific vegan and vegetarian signals where available, based on ingredient and label data. Always read the label for allergens.
Which foods contain E211?
E211 appears in 46,369 of the 4.9 million products in Forkin's catalogue — most often in Soda Water / Club Soda, Energy Drink, and Soft Drinks.
- Soda Water / Club Soda1,957
- Energy Drink1,818
- Soft Drinks1,639
- Flavored Syrups1,464
- Cakes1,068
- Flavored Water883
- Pickled Cucumbers / Gherkins778
- Sauces777
Often appears alongside
Additives most frequently found in the same ingredient lists as E211 across the catalogue.
Counts reflect Forkin's independently enriched product catalogue and update as new products are added — they are not a market-share statistic.
Frequently asked questions about E211
- What is E211?
- E211 is the E-number for Sodium Benzoate, a preservative — used to extend shelf life by slowing spoilage from microbes. SODIUM BENZOATE is a substance which has the chemical formula NaC7H5O2
- What is E211 used for?
- Sodium Benzoate (E211) is a preservative — used to extend shelf life by slowing spoilage from microbes. Manufacturers add it during processing rather than for nutrition. The Forkin app shows which products in your scan history actually contain it.
- Which foods contain E211?
- E211 appears in 46,369 of the 4.9 million products in Forkin's catalogue — most often in Soda Water / Club Soda, Energy Drink, and Soft Drinks. Scan any barcode with the Forkin app to see instantly whether a specific product contains it.
- Is E211 vegan or vegetarian?
- Sodium Benzoate (E211) is typically produced from plant, mineral, or synthetic sources, so it is generally suitable for vegans and vegetarians. The Forkin app shows product-specific vegan and vegetarian signals where available, based on ingredient and label data, since the source can vary between manufacturers.
- Is E211 safe, and is it banned anywhere?
- E211 is approved for use in the EU but has drawn regulatory attention — its conditions of use or acceptable daily intake have been re-examined by EFSA or equivalent bodies. Forkin classifies it as ‘Some concern’ and does not make health claims — see the methodology page for how regulatory levels are assigned, and the Forkin app for the full profile, including acceptable daily intake (ADI) and restrictions by country.
See the full profile in Forkin
The Forkin app surfaces the full regulatory profile of E211 — acceptable daily intake (ADI), restrictions by country, vegan and vegetarian status, alternative names, and which products in your scan history contain it. See view pricing.