Can sodium benzoate in packaged food damage female reproductive health?

What's actually in it

Sodium benzoate (E211) is one of the most common preservatives in packaged food and drinks. It's in soft drinks, fruit juice, salad dressings, pickles, condiments, and jams. It prevents mold and bacteria from growing, which extends shelf life. You eat it almost every day if you consume any processed foods or bottled drinks.

What the research says

A 2026 study in Regul Toxicol Pharmacol tested the effects of sodium benzoate on female reproductive health. The researchers gave animals sodium benzoate at doses meant to reflect human dietary exposure levels over time.

The results showed hormonal disruption, with changes in estrogen and progesterone levels. The chemical also caused structural damage to ovarian tissue, including the follicles where eggs develop. On top of that, it triggered oxidative stress in reproductive organs, damaging cells at the molecular level.

The combination of hormonal, structural, and oxidative damage led to reduced fertility in the treated animals. The effects worsened with higher doses and longer exposure periods.

Sodium benzoate is classified as "generally recognized as safe" by regulators, but that classification is based on older studies that didn't look at reproductive effects this carefully. For women trying to get pregnant or concerned about long-term reproductive health, reducing intake of preserved foods and drinks is a practical step.