Is sodium benzoate (INS 211) safe for babies?

Sodium benzoate (INS 211) in kids' food

Sodium benzoate is a preservative that stops mould and yeast growing in acidic foods. Indian labels print it as “Preservative (211)” or “Class II preservative (INS 211)”. Pikabee flags it, and the other benzoates, in any food for a child under three. In baby lotion or shampoo it is not flagged.

What Pikabee flags, by age

0–6 monthsRED FLAG

Any food other than breast milk or infant formula is flagged at this age, because WHO advises only breast milk for the first 6 months. A benzoate preservative is flagged too.

6–12 monthsRED FLAG

Flagged in food. The EU permits no benzoates in food made for babies and young children.

12–36 monthsRED FLAG

Still flagged in any food for a child under three. In skincare at any age, sodium benzoate is not flagged.

What it is

Sodium benzoate is the salt of benzoic acid, which occurs naturally in small amounts in some fruit and spices. As an added preservative it works best in acidic food, so it is common in soft drinks, squashes, fruit drinks, ketchup and sauces, jams, pickles and some fruit pulps.

Skincare uses it too, as a preservative in lotions, wipes and shampoos. The rules there are different (see below).

Names it goes by on labels

Sodium benzoate
INS 211
E211
Preservative (211)
Class II preservative (INS 211)
Benzoic acid (INS 210)
Potassium benzoate (INS 212)
Calcium benzoate (INS 213)

Why Pikabee flags it

EU food-additive law (Regulation 1333/2008, Article 16) allows an additive in food for infants and young children only if Annex II lists it there, and no benzoate is listed for those foods. In skincare, the EU permits sodium benzoate as a preservative within set limits, so Pikabee does not flag it on a lotion, wipe or shampoo.

How often parents find it

2 of 12

different baby food labels parents have scanned with Pikabee had a benzoate preservative, as of 4 November 2026.

Questions parents ask

Is sodium benzoate (INS 211) safe for a baby under 6 months?

Any food other than breast milk or infant formula is flagged at this age, because WHO advises only breast milk for the first 6 months. A benzoate preservative is flagged too.

Is sodium benzoate (INS 211) safe for a 6 to 12 month old baby?

Flagged in food. The EU permits no benzoates in food made for babies and young children. EU food-additive law (Regulation 1333/2008, Article 16) allows an additive in food for infants and young children only if Annex II lists it there, and no benzoate is listed for those foods.

Is sodium benzoate (INS 211) safe for a 1 to 3 year old?

Still flagged in any food for a child under three. In skincare at any age, sodium benzoate is not flagged. EU food-additive law (Regulation 1333/2008, Article 16) allows an additive in food for infants and young children only if Annex II lists it there, and no benzoate is listed for those foods.

Is sodium benzoate harmful for babies?

Pikabee flags it in any food for a child under three, because the EU does not permit benzoate preservatives in food made for babies and young children.

What is preservative 211?

INS 211 is sodium benzoate. 210 is benzoic acid, 212 potassium benzoate and 213 calcium benzoate — Pikabee flags all four in food.

My baby's shampoo has sodium benzoate. Is it flagged?

No. In skincare it is a permitted preservative within EU limits, and Pikabee does not flag it.

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Sources

Last reviewed 6 November 2026.

Related ingredients

Talk to your pediatrician about anything concerning.