Sodium benzoate is a salt of benzoic acid and is well soluble in water, tasteless, and odorless, and due to its antifungal and antibacterial properties, it is a preservative added to food in strictly defined doses. It inhibits the growth of bacteria, yeast, and mold. Sodium benzoate was approved as the first of all food preservatives by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Sodium benzoate can act as a food preservative. It is most widely used in acidic foods such as salad dressings (for example acetic acid in vinegar), carbonated drinks (carbonic acid), jams and fruit juices (citric acid), pickles (acetic acid), condiments, and frozen yogurt toppings. It is also used as a preservative in medicines and cosmetics.