Are Sodium Benzoate and Potassium Sorbate safe?

Sodium benzoate is a food preservative commonly used in China's food industry at present, odorless or microstrip benzoin smell, with sweet astringent taste.

Potassium sorbate is white to light yellow scaly crystals, crystal particles or crystal powder, odorless or slightly smelly, long-term exposure to the air is easy to absorb moisture, be decomposed by oxidation and discoloration.

Discrimination

Potassium sorbate, strong antibacterial, low toxicity, can participate in the normal metabolism of the human body, converted into CO2 and water. Sodium benzoate is more toxic than potassium sorbate, and the antibacterial effect is only 1/3 of sorbate at the same acidity value. The advantage of sodium benzoate is that it is relatively stable in the air and the cost is low.

Application

Sodium Benzoate

1. Sodium benzoate can be used as a food additive (preservative), a fungicide in the pharmaceutical industry, a mordant in the dye industry, a plasticizer in the plastic industry, and an intermediate in organic synthesis of spices.
2. Co-solvent of serum bilirubin test. 
3. Used in the pharmaceutical industry and plant genetic research, and also used as dye intermediates, fungicides and preservatives.

Potassium Sorbate

      It is mainly used as a food preservative, but also used in cosmetics and feed anti-mildew.

All in all, food additives play an integral role in our daily diet, helping us to enjoy a greater variety of foods. From preventing food spoilage to enhancing the taste and appearance of food, the application of food additives has allowed the modern food industry to flourish and meet the needs of people for a high quality of life. Food additives are not a monster, I believe we can enjoy food, while protecting our own health.