What is Benzoic Acid? Benzoic Acid is a chemical compound with the molecular structure C7H6O2 or C6H5COOH. It is commonly used as a food preservative as well as in the paint and coating industry, and the cosmetic industry. In appearance, Benzoic Acid is a white crystalline solid. What Does USP Mean? The USP designation is important to look out for when purchasing products to be used in food or medical grade products. USP stands for the United States Pharmacopeia and designates that a certain product has been manufactured using a standard, approved, and uniform process. This designation also guarantees that they have undergone the proper testing and ensures that they have met certain standards. Any product that holds the USP designation is guaranteed to meet necessary identity, potency, purity, and performance standards. Benzoic Acid can be used as a preservative, making it a very diverse product that can be used in a variety of ways which include medicinal purposes, cosmetic purposes, paint and coating applications, and in food products. ***Please note the following; We sell several different types of USP Acids. Benzoic Acid is an ingredient used in thousands of different products. For that reason, we do not provide recipe specific instructions for use with this product. We encourage all of our customers to conduct their own research to ensure this is the best fit for their specific application. We love to answer questions, so feel free to message us with any concerns. USP certificates, COA, and SDS are available upon request.***