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Is Sodium Benzoate the same thing as Benzalkonium chloride I am allergic to Sodium Benzoate?

Updated: 8/11/2023

Wiki User

∙ 9y ago

Best Answer

Sodium benzoate is a white, odorless powder with a sweet taste, primarily used as a food preservative. Benzalkonium chloride is an antimicrobial preservative. It is white or yellowish and ususally has a mild aromatic odor. It is used as a detergent and germicide.
Your question has piqued my curiosity...why are you curious about these two very different chemicals? Hope this helps!
Julie, RN, BSN

Wiki User

∙ 16y ago

This answer is:

Cagle4 ∙

Lvl 1

∙ 2y ago

I have a sensitivity to Sodium Benzoate in that it causes me severe migraines. I recently bought some handsoap that contains Benzalkonium Chloride and with the Benzol at the beginning, I want to make sure this is not a derivative of the Sodium Benzoate.

Gillian Whitehouse ∙

Lvl 1

∙ 1y ago

I am allergic to benzalkonium chloride,I have had an annafelactic reaction to it and I need to know if sodium benzoate is safe as sodium tells me it is a type of salt and benzalkonium amonium chloride is a quaternary salt,

Gillian Whitehouse ∙

Lvl 1

∙ 1y ago

Could I then have the same reaction to sodium benzoate?

Nadia Z ∙

Lvl 1

∙ 1y ago

I too have horrible migraines and become very nauseous to sodium benzoate aka benzoic acid and was wondering the same thing

TxAsphaltGypsy ∙

Lvl 1

∙ 8mo ago

I guess that no one can tell if these two substances are related?!?! I have an awful rash due to sodium benzoate and MCI/MI. I can use Palmolive dish soap but not Dawn. I can eat most ranch dressing, but not the one from Chick-fil-A! 10yrs of sufferng

More answers

Wiki User

∙ 16y ago

One has potassium and the other has sodium! They are both salts of benzoic acid. But really, the two are the same in terms of their functionality -- they are both the conjugate base of benzoic acid. If you are simply making a buffer solution with benzoic acid and a benzoate salt, it makes no difference. However, if being used for human consumption, there is a difference between potassium and sodium. For more, see the Wikipedia links to the left of this answer.

This answer is:

Carmel Mullery-mclou... ∙

Lvl 1

∙ 2mo ago

If you are alergic to aspirin which is a salicylic acid"all have same chemical structure so yes :be cautious!!

Wiki User

∙ 14y ago

I've a mild allergic reaction to Sodium Benzoate, first noticed when drinking certain juices containing the preservative. Reaction: Feeling of a scratchy throat to slight redeness and swelling in throat, depending on the concentration used.

This answer is:

Wiki User

∙ 8y ago

These substances are very different.

This answer is:

Gillian Whitehouse ∙

Lvl 1

∙ 1y ago

I disagree that they are very different and now discovering that if you are allergic or sensitive to one then you most likely are to the other also, and intact you should avoid all benzoate entirely.

Wiki User

∙ 9y ago

Is Benzalkonium Chloride the same thing as Sodium Benzoate? I am allergic to Sodium Benzoate.