Preservative
Also known as: E211, Benzoate of soda, Sodium salt of benzoic acid, Benzoic acid sodium salt, E 211
Sodium benzoate (E211) is the sodium salt of benzoic acid, widely used as an antimicrobial preservative in acidic foods and beverages such as soft drinks, fruit juices, condiments, and pickles. It is approved for food use in the US and EU within established intake limits.
Artificial colours or a sodium benzoate preservative (or both) in the diet result in increased hyperactivity in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the general population.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover RCT (the Southampton/McCann study) concluded that mixtures of artificial colours plus sodium benzoate increased hyperactive behaviour in children.
The Panel concluded that the McCann et al. (2007) study provided limited evidence that the mixtures of additives tested had a small effect on the activity and attention of some children, and that the findings of the study could not be used as a basis for altering the ADI of the respective food colours or sodium benzoate.
EFSA's AFC Panel reviewed the Southampton study and found only limited evidence of a small effect, declining to change the ADI for sodium benzoate or the colours.
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