Benzene: Carcinogen found in Soft Drinks

October 22, 2006, 12:00AM. By Heidi Turner

Rockville, MDTwo different studies have found the carcinogen benzene in some soft drinks. In both studies, the drinks had benzene levels higher than five parts per billion (ppb), the federal limit set for bottled water.

In May 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that it found benzene in some samples of soft drinks. The five drinks that had high levels of benzene were AquaCal strawberry-flavored water, Crush Pineapple soda, Crystal Light Sunrise Classic Orange drink, Giant Light Cranberry Juice Cocktail, and Safeway Select Diet Orange soda. Those drinks are being changed to minimize their risk for benzene formation. No recall has been ordered on the beverages.

Meanwhile, a different study by the editors of Consumer Reports found some drink samples had levels of benzene ranging from 7-30 ppb. Consumer Reports tested 14 drinks, and found high levels of benzene in four drinks. Those drinks were Crystal Light Sunrise Classic Orange, Fanta Orange and Pineapple sodas, and Sunkist Orange soda.

Benzene is formed under a specific set of circumstances. If beverages that contain benzoate salts and vitamin C (ascorbic acid) are exposed to light or heat, benzene can form. Sodium benzoate and potassium benzoate are naturally present in some fruit juices. They can also be added to prevent the growth of bacteria, yeasts, and molds.

Independent lab tests found benzene levels of 13 ppb in Coca-Cola's Vault Zero. In August a lawsuit was filed against Coca-Cola Co. by parents who say they want to eliminate the risk of benzene in soft drinks.

Zone Brands, maker of the soft drink Bellywashers, and the TalkingRain group recently settled a lawsuit which claimed their drinks contained benzene. The two companies agreed to change their beverages and refund customers who bought the beverages before the change was made.

The only drink with regulatory limits for benzene is bottled water, which has a limit of five ppb. Benzene levels are currently unregulated in soft drinks. Since 1990, the FDA has known that benzene is present in some soft drinks.

Benzene is a carcinogen used in dyes and detergents. It can be released into the air in automobile emissions and by burning coal and oil. Benzene has been linked to cancer in people who worked in facilities with high levels of benzene in the air.

In order to lessen the risk of ingesting benzene, do not buy drinks that have sodium benzoate or potassium benzoate and vitamin C. If you do buy such drinks, make sure they are stored in a cool, dry place that is out of direct light.