Fizz, fizz

Carcinogenic chemicals may be forming in your bottled drink

By Caroline Cummins

January 24, 2007

Back in May, the FDA announced that it had detected benzene, a powerful carcinogen, in beverage samples at far higher levels than the federally allowed 5 parts per billion. By October, a lawsuit had been filed against the Coca-Cola Company by a group of parents.

According to Consumer Reports, the FDA learned in 1990 that benzene could form in soft drinks. The culprits? Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and sodium benzoate (antimicrobials) together can form benzene, a volatile organic compound more commonly found in paints, tobacco smoke, and automobile emissions.

So if you really need that bottle of flavored whatever, check the ingredients list first; ascorbic acid listed together with sodium or potassium benzoate could spell benzene.