Sodium methyl para-hydroxybenzoate is a mouthful to say and write, but it is commonly used as a preservative in many food and personal care products. It can also be known by other names like sodium benzoate or E-219, which is its assigned code by the European Union. Other synonyms for this compound include methyl paraben sodium, p-hydroxybenzoic acid methyl ester sodium salt, and methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate sodium salt. Knowing these other names can be helpful when reading ingredient labels or looking up information about the compound. While sodium methyl para-hydroxybenzoate is generally considered safe for consumption in small amounts, some people may have allergies or sensitivity to it, so always check ingredient labels carefully.