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Which ingredients in soft drinks can cause cancer?

By Shereen Jegtvig, About.com

Updated August 04, 2009

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

Can soft drinks cause cancer?

Can soft drinks cause cancer?

Photo © Greek Golangco
Question: Which ingredients in soft drinks can cause cancer?
The FDA confirmed a list of bottled soft drinks that contained two ingredients that when combined and stored in higher temperatures, causes cancer. Among those listed were Diet Pepsi and Country Time Lemonade. I would like to find that article and the list of high-risk soft drinks that was included.

Deborah -- About.com User
Answer: Many soft drinks add sodium benzoate (an antimicrobial agent) and ascorbic acid (vitamin C) to their products. Under certain conditions of light and heat exposure, the benzoate and ascorbic acid can form benzene in soft drinks.

Exposure to large amounts of benzene is known to cause cancer; however, this exposure is usually from coal burning and gasoline emissions -- not from drinking soft drinks.

The FDA tested over 200 soft drinks and released a list of benzoate levels found in soft drinks, however that list is no longer available. The levels of benzene detected in most of the soft drinks was below five parts per billion, which is considered safe for humans.

Sources:

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "Benzene in Soft Drinks." Published April 2006.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "Data on Benzene in Soft Drinks and Other Beverages." Updated July 2007.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "Questions and Answers on the Occurrence of Benzene in Soft Drinks and Other Beverages." Updated 2007.

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