Benzoic acid
Can form benzene with vitamin C; allergy trigger.
- Category
- Preservatives
- Acceptable daily intake
- 5 mg/kg body weight/day (EFSA)
- Vegan
- Yes
- Vegetarian
- Yes
What it is
Benzoic acid (E210) is a preservative that occurs naturally in cranberries and cinnamon but is made synthetically for food use. Unlike its salts, it dissolves poorly in water, so it only works in acidic products where it stays in its active undissociated form — stopping yeast and mould growth.
How it is used in food
Blocks yeast and bacteria in acidic foods.
Commonly found in- Diet sodas and fruit juices
- Syrups and cordials
- Pickles
Health and safety
Can form traces of benzene (a known carcinogen) when combined with vitamin C.
Like all benzoates (including E211), the primary hazard is the potential for benzene formation.
Can form benzene in vitamin C drinks
In acidic drinks that also contain ascorbic acid, benzoates can break down under heat or light to form benzene, a Group 1 carcinogen. FDA testing found most beverages at or below the 5 ppb drinking-water limit and the reaction is now designed around, so the exposure risk is low — but it is the reason to prefer sorbates in vitamin C products.
Questions and Answers on the Occurrence of Benzene in Soft Drinks and Other Beverages
Soft drink recipes were widely reformulated in the 2000s due to the benzene issue.
Regulatory status
| Region | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Australia & New Zealand FSANZ |
Permitted | Permitted. |
| European Union EFSA / European Commission |
Permitted | Authorised for food use under EU regulations (Annex II). |
| United States FDA (Food and Drug Administration) |
Permitted | Approved. |
Identification on labels
- E-number
- E210
Alternatives to this additive
- E202: Potassium sorbate — Does not form benzene and is widely considered much safer.
How it is made
Produced industrially through the catalytic oxidation of toluene, a petrochemical.
- Synthesis — Toluene is oxidized to benzoic acid, which is then neutralized if forming a salt.
Worth knowing
Occurs naturally in cranberries and cinnamon.
Conclusion
The concern with benzoates is a specific reaction, not the preservative itself: combined with vitamin C in an acidic drink and left in heat or light, they can form benzene, a Group 1 carcinogen. FDA's survey found most beverages at or below the 5 ppb drinking-water limit, and formulators now avoid the combination — but it is why sorbates are preferred in vitamin C products.
References
Is it in what you are buying?
ScanWise reads the barcode and tells you which additives a product actually contains, and what they do to its score.
Open the appEntry last reviewed 2026-07-28.
← All additives