Benzoic Acid
The short version
The parent acid of sodium benzoate — naturally occurring in cranberries, the same preservative mechanism.
A common preservative (benzoic acid). It's approved, but combined with vitamin C it can form tiny amounts of benzene (a carcinogen), and it can cause pseudo-allergic reactions in sensitive people. Those caveats are why we flag it.
Safety profile
EFSA's 2016 re-evaluation derived an ADI of 5 mg/kg body weight for benzoic acid. In 2021 JECFA set a group ADI of 0–20 mg/kg body weight for benzoic acid and the benzoate salts (expressed as benzoic acid) and withdrew its earlier group ADI of 0–5 mg/kg body weight. In the presence of ascorbic acid and heat or light, can form trace benzene — the same concern as E211. The monitoring and reformulation history is shared with sodium benzoate.
Sources
- JECFA database — Benzoic acid (INS 210), evaluation 2021 (92nd meeting) — WHO / Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives, 2021. Safety: current JECFA group ADI 0–20 mg/kg bw; earlier 0–5 withdrawn
- EFSA FEEDAP Panel — Safety and efficacy of benzoic acid as a technological feed additive for weaned piglets and pigs for fattening (2019), EFSA Journal 17:5527 (cites the ANS 2016 food additive re-evaluation) — European Food Safety Authority, 2019. Safety: EFSA ADI of 5 mg/kg bw for benzoic acid (ANS Panel 2016)
- 21 CFR 184.1021 — Benzoic acid (GRAS), CFR 2025 edition — U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo) / FDA, 2025. US regulatory status; natural occurrence in cranberries
- European Commission Food Additives Database — E 210–213 Benzoic acid – benzoates — European Commission, DG SANTE, 2026. EU authorisation with category-specific maximum levels
Checked against these sources on .
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