Sodium benzoate (E211) is one of the most widely used preservatives in food and even in some organic cosmetics. It is found in juices, jams, sauces, sodas, and sometimes in shampoos, cleansing foams, and toothpastes.
At LiLiKiWi, we've chosen to go further: completely ban sodium benzoate from all our children's formulas and raise awareness among parents about its risks. This blog is based on the 2022 scientific review on sodium benzoate published in Nutrients ( MDPI, 2022 ) and current European standards.
Sodium Benzoate and Babies: Why Be Cautious?
Studies compiled in the 2022 journal show that high doses of sodium benzoate administered to animals can:
- Cause birth defects
- Increase perinatal mortality
- Affect the development of the eyes and nervous system of exposed fetuses
➡️ Translation for parents : Even though these results come from animal studies, toxicologists recommend avoiding E211 in products intended for children under 3 years old and during pregnancy .
💡 Why is this important? Babies' metabolisms are still immature, and their ability to eliminate certain additives is much weaker than that of an adult.
Sodium Benzoate and Hyperactivity: What the Studies Say
A major clinical study ( McCann et al., 2007 – The Lancet ) showed:
- In 3-year-old children , consumption of 45 mg/day of sodium benzoate via drinks increased symptoms of hyperactivity.
- In children aged 8-9 , the results were similar: more agitation, difficulty concentrating and emotional regulation.
- Behaviors returned to normal after stopping the preservative.
➡️ Translation for parents : if your child is prone to hyperactivity or attention deficit disorder, reducing products containing E211 (sugary drinks, industrial jams) can have a real impact on their behavior.
Sodium Benzoate + Vitamin C = Risky Cocktail
The combination of sodium benzoate + ascorbic acid (vitamin C) can generate benzene , a carcinogenic molecule, especially in drinks exposed to heat and light.
➡️ Practical advice : avoid sodas and juices for children containing both E211 and vitamin C. It's a simple but important precaution.
Legal Limits in Europe
The European Union strictly regulates the use of sodium benzoate via two regulations:
Food (EC Regulation 1333/2008)
- ADI (Acceptable Daily Intake): 5 mg/kg/day for children and adults
- Non-alcoholic drinks : max 150 mg/L (≈ 0.015%)
- Jams and jellies : max 500 mg/kg (≈ 0.05%)
- Alcoholic beverages : max 200 mg/L
Cosmetics (EC Regulation 1223/2009 – Annex V)
- Leave-on products (creams): max 0.5%
- Rinse-off products (foams, shampoos): max 2.5%
- Oral products (toothpastes): max 1.7%
To help you see things more clearly, we have prepared a small summary table for you.
Concrete Example: Safe Dose in Children
Here we share with you a table with the calculations we have made regarding the maximum quantities of sodium benzoate to consume according to each type of product.
Please note: these calculations represent the maximum authorized doses per product. But in reality, exposure is often cumulative : food, cosmetics, medications... everything adds up over the course of the day.
⚠️ The regulatory limit dose is based solely on acute effects . There is still little data on long-term effects , particularly regarding neurotoxicity in young children.
LiliKiWi's Position
At LiLiKiWi , we have made a clear and radical choice:
- Zero sodium benzoate (E211) in all our children's products (0-12 years)
- 100% natural origin preservatives
- Formulas suitable for sensitive skin and respectful of the health of little ones
Because children's health should never be an industrial compromise. 💚
In Summary
- Sodium benzoate is permitted but should be strictly limited , especially in children.
- Its association with vitamin C and overdoses raise questions in the long term.
- The best protection remains parental vigilance : reading labels, favoring clean label products and limiting cumulative exposure.
With Lilikiwi, you are guaranteed a daily life without E211, designed for the health and well-being of children . 🌿
📚 Sources
- Nutrients, 2022 – Sodium Benzoate, a Preservative with Neurotoxic Potential: Review of Toxicological and Clinical Data – Nutrients 14(7):1497.
- McCann et al., 2007 – Food additives and hyperactive behavior in children. The Lancet, 370(9598) .
- EFSA, 2016 – Scientific opinion on benzoic acid (E210) and sodium benzoate (E211). EFSA Journal 14(3):4433 .
- EC Regulation 1333/2008 – Food Additives (EU).
- EC Regulation 1223/2009 – Cosmetic products (EU).
- SCCS Opinion on Benzoic Acid and Sodium Benzoate, 2016.