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 may be used in the preparation of various heavy metal benzoates.

The product is not intended for use as a biocide under global biocide regulations, including but not limited to US EPA′s Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, European Biocidal Products Regulation, Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency, Turkey’s Biocidal Products Regulation, Korea’s Consumer Chemical Products and Biocide Safety Management Act (K-BPR) and others.