Sodium Benzoate vs Maltodextrin — Which Is Worse?

FactorSodium BenzoateMaltodextrin
E-NumberE211—
CategoryPreservativeSweetener
SeverityModerate Risk (6/10)Moderate Risk (6/10)
FDA StatusFDA-approved as GRAS at levels up to 0.1% (21 CFR 184.1733). FDA investigated benzene formation in beverages in 2006 and…FDA classifies maltodextrin as GRAS. No ADI established. Not classified as a sugar for labeling purposes, so products co…
EFSA StatusEFSA reviewed in 2016 and maintained approval with an ADI of 5 mg/kg body weight/day. Included in the Southampton Study …Approved in the EU with no specific restrictions. Not assigned an E-number because it is classified as a food ingredient…
Banned In——
Products Found2577

Key Differences

Health Concerns Comparison

Sodium Benzoate

Maltodextrin

Which Products Use Each?

25
products contain Sodium Benzoate
77
products contain Maltodextrin

⚖️ The Verdict

Both Sodium Benzoate and Maltodextrin have the same severity score (6/10). Neither is clearly worse than the other based on current data.

Both ingredients should be consumed mindfully. Use CheckIt AI to scan products and avoid whichever ones concern you most.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sodium Benzoate or Maltodextrin worse?
Both Sodium Benzoate and Maltodextrin have the same severity score (6/10). Neither is clearly worse based on available data.
What is the difference between Sodium Benzoate and Maltodextrin?
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative, while Maltodextrin is a sweetener. They serve different functions in food products.
Are Sodium Benzoate and Maltodextrin banned?
Sodium Benzoate is not currently banned in any major market. Maltodextrin is not currently banned in any major market.
How can I avoid both Sodium Benzoate and Maltodextrin?
Download CheckIt AI and scan any product's barcode or ingredient label. The app will flag both Sodium Benzoate and Maltodextrin and suggest safer alternatives.
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⚕️ This comparison is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional for personalized dietary guidance.

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📋 Cite This Data
APACheckIt AI. (2026). "Sodium Benzoate vs Maltodextrin — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI". Climaverse PBC. Retrieved from https://getcheck.it/ingredients/sodium-benzoate-vs-maltodextrin
MLA"Sodium Benzoate vs Maltodextrin — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI." CheckIt AI, Climaverse PBC, 2026-03-05. https://getcheck.it/ingredients/sodium-benzoate-vs-maltodextrin.
HTML Embed<a href="https://getcheck.it/ingredients/sodium-benzoate-vs-maltodextrin">Sodium Benzoate vs Maltodextrin — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI — CheckIt AI</a>
BibTeX@misc{checkit2026ingredientssodiumbenzoatevsmaltodextrin, title = {Sodium Benzoate vs Maltodextrin — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI}, author = {CheckIt AI}, year = {2026}, publisher = {Climaverse PBC}, url = {https://getcheck.it/ingredients/sodium-benzoate-vs-maltodextrin}, note = {Retrieved 2026-03-05} }