Abstract: A process for the preparation of meta sulfobenzoic acid wherein after solution sulfonation of benzoic acid, meta sulfobenzoic alkali metal salt is precipitated by treating the solution with an alkali metal salt at a temperature below about 120.degree. C. The precipitate is then filtered from the solution and rinsed at least once with a cold rinse solution containing from 3 to 10 percent of an alkali metal salt The resulting product has a lower concentration of alkali metal salt, usually sodium chloride, than was obtained using prior art methods. The product is especially suitable for use in a process to manufacture m-hydroxy benzoic acid.