Sodium benzoate, also known as benzoate of soda, is the sodium salt of benzoic acid, widely used as a food preservative and a pickling agent. 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.