Description General description 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. Application Sodium benzoate may be used in the preparation of various heavy metal benzoates.