Two Soft Drinks Companies Sued For Cancer Causing Benzene

Medical News Today
Apr. 12, 2006

Benzene can be formed in soft drinks which contain Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), sodium benzoate or potassium benzoate. Two soft drinks companies, Polar Beverages Inc. and Zone Brands Inc., are being sued by parents in Massachusetts and Florida for selling drinks which may contain benzene. The companies are being asked to take their products off the shelves (withdraw them).

Polar Beverages makes fruit-flavoured fizzy drinks and mixers. Zone Brands makes BellyWashers and juices.

Just the presence of ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate or potassium benzoate does not necessarily result in the creation of benzene. Whether or not benzene is produced depends on such factors as light exposure and heat. Benzene is present in many settings. Forest fires contain benzene, as does cigarette smoke and gasoline.

Tim Newell, one of the plaintiffs, claims it is impossible for parents to really know which soft drinks are safe and which contain cancer-causing benzene.

(Plaintiff = The person who is suing)

The plaintiffs allege that independent lab tests found that benzene levels in those two companies' beverages were above the 5 parts per billion, the limit set nationally for drinking water.

The FDA says levels are still low. The FDA is carrying out its own investigation into levels of benzene in soft drinks in general.