• Certain liquid products require preservatives in order to prevent bacteria and mold from growing and contaminating these products. NOW Foods is committed to using the most natural preservatives possible when preservatives are required for safety. We use our technical expertise to use the safest, healthiest preservatives that will keep the product free from undesirable microbiological activity.

 

• We use a scientific test called the Preservative Efficacy Test to confirm that the preservative works as required.

 

• Most natural preservatives tested do not completely preserve liquids. We therefore must reluctantly use synthetic preservatives like potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate in some cases, but only when more natural means aren’t effective.

 

    - Potassium sorbate is a mineral salt of sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a nature-identical substance that naturally occurs berries.   

 

    - Sodium benzoate is also a nature-identical molecule, found naturally in cranberries, prunes and plums, cinnamon, ripe        cloves, and apples. [The amounts present in healthy fruits may actually exceed the maximum limit allowed to be added to products as a preservative (0.1%, by weight), with no known toxicity up to 647-825 mg/kg of body weight per day. (1,2)]

 

• If we have to use a synthetic preservative to guard against growth of contaminants, we disclose it on the label.

 

• All of our liquid products containing sodium benzoate have been tested for benzene, a possible by-product of a benzoate and ascorbate reaction that is the substance of real concern. Every one of our products tested for benzene has had “none detected” at both the time of manufacture and at the end of the shelf life.

 

• We go above and beyond to be As Natural As Possible™ while responsibly ensuring the safety of our products.

References
1.   Concise International Chemical Assessment Document 26: BENZOIC ACID AND SODIUM BENZOATE
2.   Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel Bindu Nair (2001). "Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Benzyl                     Alcohol, Benzoic Acid, and Sodium Benzoate". Int J Tox (20 (Suppl. 3)): 23-50.