preservative
Sodium benzoate
Score
33
Fine on its own, but with added vitamin C in a drink it can form benzene.
Benzoate plus ascorbic acid, given warmth and light, can produce trace benzene — a known human carcinogen. Reformulation after the 2005-2008 findings cut levels sharply, but the combination is still worth flagging when both appear on the same label.
benzene risk with vitamin c
Also appears on labels as
e211 · benzoic acid · e210
What this is based on
- RegulatorEuropean Food Safety Authority / UK FSA · 2008