Elegant Collection A Decadent 16 Piece Private Reserve Chocolate Assortment, Assortment
Russell Stover Candies Inc.
Vegan, failsGluten-Free, passesKeto, fails
E211 — Sodium benzoate
Why it’s used
The sodium salt of benzoic acid, more soluble than benzoic acid itself; widely used as a preservative in acidic foods and beverages (such as sodas, fruit juices, and condiments) to inhibit mold, yeast, and some bacteria.
Other names
Benzoate of soda, Sodium salt of benzoic acid
Diet flags
Vegan, passesVegetarian, passes
Regulatory status
USA — Restricted
Affirmed as GRAS as an antimicrobial and flavoring agent under 21 CFR 184.1733, with current use resulting in a maximum level of 0.1 percent in food. Source (2026-07-23)
EU — Restricted
Approved in the EU as E 211 for specified food categories (e.g., beverages, fish products, condiments) with maximum levels set out in Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008; EFSA has separately noted that sodium benzoate can react with ascorbic acid (vitamin C) under heat or light to form trace benzene, but this is a formulation/handling concern rather than a change to the additive's authorized status. Source (2026-07-23)
Found in these products
3 products in our database contain E211.
Soda Lemon-Lime
Sprite
Vegan, unclearGluten-Free, passesKeto, fails
Mountain Dew
Mountain Dew
Vegan, unclearGluten-Free, passesKeto, fails