Potassium Benzoate
The short version
The potassium salt of benzoic acid — a sodium-free alternative to E211 in acidic foods.
It's permitted and generally considered safe, but there are a few reasons to be mindful — like sensitivities in some people, debated studies, or intake limits. The Safety section below explains the specifics.
Safety profile
Group ADI of 5 mg/kg body weight per day, expressed as benzoic acid, for E210–E213 (EFSA 2016). In 2021 JECFA raised its group ADI to 0–20 mg/kg body weight and withdrew the previous 0–5. Same concerns and interactions as sodium benzoate: can form benzene with ascorbic acid (E300) under heat and light, especially with copper or iron catalysts. The 2007 Southampton trial, which linked drinks containing artificial colour mixes and sodium benzoate to increased hyperactivity in children, used sodium benzoate (E211), not potassium benzoate.
Sources
- WHO JECFA database: Potassium benzoate (INS 212), group ADI 0–20 mg/kg bw (2021, 92nd meeting) — World Health Organization / JECFA, 2021. Current JECFA group ADI for benzoic acid and benzoates
- EFSA: Re-evaluation of benzyl alcohol (E 1519) as food additive, EFSA Journal 2019;17(10):5876 (restates EFSA 2016 benzoate group ADI) — European Food Safety Authority, 2019. EFSA 2016 group ADI of 5 mg/kg bw/day for E 210–213
- EUR-Lex: Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, consolidated text of 18 August 2026 (Annex II, E 210–213) — European Union (EUR-Lex), 2026. EU maximum levels shared by all benzoates, expressed as free acid
- McCann et al., Food additives and hyperactive behaviour in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the community, Lancet 2007 (abstract record via Europe PMC) — The Lancet (record: Europe PMC, EMBL-EBI), 2007. The Southampton trial used sodium benzoate, not potassium benzoate
Checked against these sources on .
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