Most of the benzoic acid is derived from dietary
components, whereas a smaller part is excreted as a
result of intermediate amino acid metabolism.26 The
dietary components depend mainly on benzoic acid
or benzoates that are used as preservatives for several
foods-for example, fruit juice, lemonade, bakery
products, several dairy products, ketchup and mustard,
and some prepared food.27 In Sweden a maximum
of 3 g benzoic acid/kg provisions is admitted.
Benzoic acid is rapidly absorbed and thereafter
rapidly and completely excreted as hippuric acid in
the urine.26