Sodium benzoate is the sodium salt of benzoic acid. On dissolution in water it affords weakly basic solution. It is widely employed as a food preservative and in various cosmetic products. It has anti-corrosive properties. Its determination in fruit juices, sodas, soy sauce, ketchup, peanut butter, cream cheese and other foods by HPLC method has been proposed. It exhibits microbicidal action and is added as anti-microbial agent in various food products. It is a Food and Drug Administration-approved nontoxic drug.

Sodium benzoate is a safe food preservative and has antimicrobial functionality. It has a molecular weight of 114. 11 Da. Sodium benzoate is used in bakery products, juice and cheese. In the liver, it is conjugated to glycine and is eliminated as hippuric acid from the urine.