Is Sodium Benzoate safe? Sodium Benzoate is a preservative chemical found in foods such as jams, sauces, soda drinks and more. It occurs naturally in fruits such as apples, cranberries, prunes and bilberry. It is also naturally present in some vegetables, prawns and dairy. It is often used in the cosmetics industry and in certain medicines (including over the counter).

The reason I am outlining the safety of sodium benzoate today is because my baby who is only 13 months had a severe allergic reaction to a teething gel recently. She broke out in huge hives and I was desperately trying to figure out what had caused them. I began going through everything she had eaten in the previous days and trying to establish if she had an allergic reaction to the foods. She hadn’t had anything out of the ordinary so I was desperate to find out what else it could be. It was a bank holiday weekend on Sunday and the Doctor was closed until Tuesday so I was worried but I luckily had access to a mother and baby group forum online where I posted a pic. A few of the other mothers mentioned they had seen this kind of rash and confirmed it looked like hives. I had been Googling it myself and it looked to be the same as the hive pics so rather than rush her to the hospital I decided to keep investigating. She had no fever and was absolutely fine other than this rash.

It was only after going through every detail with my Mum that I realised the teething gel could be to blame. I had only started using it a week previously, after asking at the chemist. Silly me just assumed that the teething gel would be safe and asked no questions about it. To my absolute horror and shame, I read the back of the pack to discover there is sodium benzoate in it. I had remembered reading somewhere about it being dangerous so I figured I had better Google it and see. Right enough, sodium benzoate is a potential trigger for hyperactivity in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Sodium benzoate doesn’t cause the disorder but more research is needed to determine what role, if any, it plays in worsening hyperactivity. Now after reading up some more about it, here is what the Mayo Clinic (reputable medical site) say about it –

Sodium benzoate may trigger or exacerbate symptoms or episodes of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, according to the Mayo Clinic. The condition is most common in children but it can be present in adults as well, and affected individuals may be forgetful, have difficulty concentrating and following directions or display impulsiveness. It is difficult to determine the precise relationship between sodium benzoate and ADHD because additional food additives in the same foods as sodium benzoate may have similar effects. A common recommendation for ADHD is to emphasize fresh, unprocessed foods.

Of course, you are probably thinking, being a baby she won’t have ADHD but I don’t think I will be taking any chances here. As I read on, to my horror, I found out that benzene is a chemical that is linked to leukaemia and other blood cancers! Even though sodium benzoate doesn’t have benzene, it can form benzene when combined with ascorbic acid, ie. vitamin C.

This is very bad news for soft drinks. Please read this article for all the info > Benzene in soft drinks

Sodium benzoate is particularly bad for asthma sufferers. Here is what the Mayo Clinic said about it. If you have asthma, limit your intake of saturated fat, dairy products and processed foods with sulfites, artificial sweeteners or food colourings. Caution – food additives, such as sodium benzoate, may lead to asthma attacks.

The BBC posted a worrying article titled “Cancer chemical found in drinks” stating research by Professor Glenn Lawrence of Long Island University in 2006. He said that the combination of sodium benzoate and vitamin C was commonly found in some drinks in the early 1990s. Research he published in 1993 revealed how the carcinogen could be formed when these two chemicals react. He suggested that drink firms were now putting vitamin C back into drinks to encourage consumers to buy the product. Children’s food campaigner Richard Watts of Sustain, a pressure group lobbying for better food and farming, said many of these drinks were being marketed as health drinks to children.

Sodium benzoate contains a high level of sodium. A high-sodium diet is linked to high blood pressure (hypertension). This increases your risk of heart disease, kidney disease and stroke.

The FDA have placed a limit on the concentration of sodium benzoate allowed in a particular food or beverage for the above reasons. Sadly, I didn’t know of the dangers before using the teething gel as a pain relief for my baby. She was waking up with bright red cheeks and unable to sleep due to teething problems so I was rubbing the gel on her gums multiple times a day. I was absolutely fuming to think that this chemical could be fond in a baby teething gel!

Sodium benzoate can be found in mouthwash, deodorant, shampoo, shower gel, body lotions, you name it! The only way you can tell and try to avoid it is by reading the labels carefully before purchasing. To be honest, I always do that and I am livid with myself for not checking the label on the teething gel. I also use an app called Think Dirty to scan barcodes as it can usually tell you how toxic a product is. It has a huge database that is updated regularly to inform you of the level of toxins in a certain product.

You probably know, if you follow my blog that I am an advocate for natural organic cosmetics and skincare. I have wrote various articles on the dangers of manmade chemicals in skincare. Here is one of my most descriptive articles for reference > Toxic Beauty Products

Here is a long list of possible side effects when consumed in large doses (including as a medication) –

Convulsions

Vomiting

Rashes and skin irritation

Fainting

Chest pain

Headache

Dry mouth

Nausea

Appetite loss

Mood swings

Drowsiness

Mild hyperventilation

Irritation of stomach ulcers

Muscle pain

According to research there are other severe side effects when sodium benzoate is mixed with sodium phenylacetate:

A bulging soft spot on the head of a baby

Colour distortion (particularly blue and yellow)

Slurred speech

Blurred vision

Blue lips/fingertips/under the nails

Chest pain

Slowed heartbeat

Fainting

Unresponsiveness

So the question is, is sodium benzoate safe? To be honest, I wouldn’t advise taking it medically unless it is prescribed for a particular condition such as  hyperammonemia or urea cycle disorders. I would avoid it if offered to me as an over the counter remedy. I have had a bad experience so that is natural. I since learned that a lot of people are allergic to it including my infant daughter due to the hives. As for in food and drinks, I will be avoiding it like the plague! Your health is your wealth my friends.

Here is what you need to check for on the packets or packaging of food and drinks and of course, cosmetics and OTC medicine –

Be vigilant with checking labels on liquid cough syrups, medicinal creams and gels.

Liquid acetaminophen

Amoxicillin

E211 and E212

Benzene

Benzoic Acid

Benzoate

 

Sodium benzoate

Potassium benzoate

Especially avoid these if they are also including vitamin C. Be careful when purchasing condiments, salad dressing (vinegar), pickles, jams, wine and soft drinks.

So that just about sums it up. Is sodium benzoate safe? That depends on whether or not you are allergic to it (not uncommon), how small the dose is, how it is administered and how much you are consuming on a regular basis. For me, I will be steering as far clear as possible!

Hope this article was beneficial to you. I myself only discovered the dangers of sodium benzoate so I am glad to help others be aware.

Back next week with some natural beauty reviews!

Love,

Ciara xxx