Reality TV star Bethenny Frankel’s Skinnygirl Margarita was recently yanked from the shelves of Whole Foods markets for purportedly having a non-natural preservative thought to be sodium benzoate. Though the bottle reads “all natural,” the grocery chain wasn’t OK with it. TMZ reports that a class action lawsuit has also been filed against the parent company alleging misleading claims about the product being natural.
What is sodium benzoate, and should you be worried about ingesting it? The chemical is a preservative commonly found in foods most people consume daily, usually beverages such as sodas and juice drinks that are acidic. It’s also found in items such as pickles, salsa and dip, and can turn up in cosmetics and medicines. Sodium benzoate is produced by a reaction of benzoic acid with sodium hydroxide, which makes it disolve in water.
Under acidic conditions, sodium benzoate inhibits growth of bacteria, mold and yeast, extending a product’s shelf life, says Randy Worobo, associate professor of food microbiology at Cornell University in New York. “Without it a product’s shelf life is much shorter, and that adds costs to the producer,” he said.
While benzoic acid is found naturally in low levels in cranberries and other foods, the sodium benzoate listed on a product’s nutrition label is typically synthesized in a lab.
Consumed under normal conditions it poses no great health dangers, says Don Schaffner, professor of food science at Rutgers University in New Jersey. “Sodium benzoate is still actively being studied, but in a comprehensive review [researchers] concluded that at levels being used in foods it doesn’t pose a risk.”
The Food and Drug Administration limits sodium benzoate to concentrations of 0.1% by weight, and Worobo says most foods have concentrations far lower--more like 0.025% to 0.05%.
But Schaffner says that doesn’t mean it’s OK to take a bath in the stuff, although he adds, “It’s my understanding that it’s not fat soluble,” he added, “so it won’t concentrate in the body.”
When sodium benzoate combines with ascorbic acid (vitamin C) benzene can form, which is a known carcinogen. Factors such as heat and time can affect its development. Unless you’re drinking gallons of soda and Skinnygirl Margaritas every day, Schaffner says, your risk of reaching dangerous levels is pretty low. And if you live in an urban area you’re probably sucking up benzene via smog anyway.
Natural alternatives to sodium benzoate do exist, Worobo says. One product on the market is called Natamax and is used in foods such as breads and packaged shredded cheese. “The cost is significantly higher than that of sodium benzoate,” he adds, which is probably why most food manufacturers go with the non-natural stuff.
So if processed foods are part of your normal diet and some chemically produced preservatives don’t bother you, drink away--and of course, drink responsibly.
FAQs
When sodium benzoate combines with ascorbic acid (vitamin C) benzene can form, which is a known carcinogen. Factors such as heat and time can affect its development. Unless you're drinking gallons of soda and Skinnygirl Margaritas every day, Schaffner says, your risk of reaching dangerous levels is pretty low.
Is sodium benzoate bad for you to eat? ›
Is Sodium Benzoate Safe? Sodium benzoate is generally recognized as safe and can be used as an antimicrobial agent and flavoring agent in food; the maximum allowed amount is 0.1%. It's also generally recognized as safe (GRAS) when used as a preservative in animal feed.
What is the preservative in Skinnygirl margaritas? ›
Many fruits, including the limes in Skinnygirl margaritas, contain ascorbic acid. But Skinnygirl says they use a “miniscule amount” of sodium benzoate.
What does sodium benzoate do in soft drinks? ›
Sodium or potassium benzoate may be added to beverages to inhibit the growth of bacteria, yeasts, and molds.
Why was Skinnygirl Margarita discontinued? ›
After discovering that it contains a preservative that does not meet our quality standards, we have had to stop selling it." "Well now that I know that, I wouldn't buy them. I'm into obviously eating very healthy and organic," Nicole Prajer, a Whole Foods customer, told CBS2.
Is sodium benzoate bad for liver? ›
However, the consumption of SB for a long period may also cause liver damage. As SB is a preservative used in various food products for a long time, renal damage has possibly resulted from the excessive intake of high dose or chronic consumption of this food additive.
Is sodium benzoate safe for kidneys? ›
In conclusion, the results demonstrate that Sodium benzoate damages kidney structure and function and is a nephrotoxic substance.
Is Skinnygirl Margarita safe to drink? ›
When sodium benzoate combines with ascorbic acid (vitamin C) benzene can form, which is a known carcinogen. Factors such as heat and time can affect its development. Unless you're drinking gallons of soda and Skinnygirl Margaritas every day, Schaffner says, your risk of reaching dangerous levels is pretty low.
Is Skinnygirl Margarita good? ›
I think this drink is delicious, the scent is not overpowering, it has a nice tart and sweet taste. I'd give it a four and not five because I prefer a bit more tartness but I did get the peach, so it's not the developers issue, it's my own preference. The taste is light and lovely.
What happened to the Skinnygirl brand? ›
What started with the Skinnygirl® Margarita has turned, quite frankly, into a co*cktail revolution. Growing faster than anyone could have ever imagined (thanks in part to our incredible, loyal fans), Skinnygirl® co*cktails was acquired by premium spirits powerhouse, Beam Inc., in March 2011.
Studies suggest that sodium benzoate may increase your risk of inflammation, oxidative stress, obesity, ADHD, and allergies. It may also convert to benzene, a potential carcinogen, but the low levels found in beverages are deemed safe.
What is another name for sodium benzoate? ›
Sodium benzoate also known as benzoate of soda is the sodium salt of benzoic acid, widely used as a food preservative (with an E number of E211) and a pickling agent. It appears as a white crystalline chemical with the formula C6H5COONa.
What does sodium benzoate do to your hair? ›
Sodium benzoate can reduce dandruff, stop irritation of the scalp, and maintain healthy hair. Use a conditioner containing sodium benzoate: Conditioners containing sodium benzoate can help detangle hair, prevent breakage, and keep it looking healthy and shiny.
What is Skinnygirl Margarita sweetened with? ›
Made from premium Blue Agave Silver Tequila (yes, please) and lightly sweetened with agave nectar, the original Skinnygirl® Margarita is STILL delicious and low-calorie (really?).
Who is the owner of Skinnygirl margaritas? ›
Bethenny is the CEO of Skinnygirl a lifestyle brand offering sensible solutions for women to eat and drink some of their guilty pleasures without giving up on flavor and flair!
What's the difference between a margarita and a skinny margarita? ›
A Skinny Margarita substitutes the orange liqueur, such as Grand Marnier, of a traditional Margarita with a combination of agave syrup and orange juice, thus giving the co*cktail less complexity and a lighter structure, keeping the subtle orange flavor intact.
What are the safest preservatives for food? ›
The safest preservatives used in packaged food are generally natural preservatives, such as vinegar, citric acid, ascorbic acid, and rosemary extract. Other natural preservatives include salt, sugar, honey, clove, ginger, and nutmeg.
Is sodium benzoate harmful in toothpaste? ›
There are some possible risks of sodium benzoate, which includes allergic reactions such as itching and swelling and inflammation promoting cancer development.
Is sodium benzoate in shampoo bad for you? ›
If you experience any itching, redness, or irritation, discontinue using the product. In general, sodium benzoate is considered safe for use in hair care products, but some hair types may be more prone to dryness or breakage when exposed to certain preservatives, including sodium benzoate.
Is sodium benzoate baking soda? ›
Sodium benzoate is a food preservative while sodium bicarbonate is baking soda, which is commonly used in bakeries. These two forms are in many foods, but don't have the salty taste; they are often overlooked dietary sources of sodium.
