Food, Beverage & Supplement
Used as a preservative, mainly in acidic foods such as salad dressings, vinegar, soft drinks, jams and fruit juices, pickles, seasonings, yogurt, and toppings. The US FDA permits its use as a food additive in food and animal feed at up to 0.1% by weight. In Europe, sodium benzoate is sometimes used as an alternative to potassium sorbate in the soft-drink industry. It may be used together with sodium hydroxide to improve solubility. Microbial spoilage in acidic foods and beverages is generally caused by anaerobic and acid-tolerant microorganisms.
Medical
Used as a preservative to inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi. It is commonly added to liquid medicines such as cough syrups and may be used in the treatment of urinary-system disorders because it can bind amino compounds and support their excretion. It has also been used with phenylbutyrate to treat hyperammonemia by helping control ammonia levels in the blood. In addition, it can serve as a lubricant in tablet production, helping produce smooth, translucent tablets that disintegrate quickly after administration.
Cosmetic
Used as a preservative in products such as hair-care products, soap, baby wipes, toothpaste, and mouthwash.
