Beverage
Daily, in "FDA re-opens
probe into benzene contamination of soft drinks," quotes industry insiders, internal memos, an unnamed
government chemist and a whistle blower, to the presence of benzene
in soft drinks, and to the possibility of questionable agreements and business practices involving the FDA and the
beverage industry. If factual, the truth is very disturbing.Basically, the problem is sodium benzoate and ascorbic acid, which together form benzene. The issue revolves around the levels of benzene found in soft drinks. Benzene is a known cancer-causing chemical. The FDA knew of the problem as early as 1990, but never made the findings public. Instead, the FDA came to an agreement with the US soft drinks association that the soft drink industry would reformulate the drinks. In recent months, private tests have been done, and support claims by a former chemist for Cadbury Schweppes, who, as Beverage Daily reports, is now keen to blow the whistle on the benzene levels in soft drinks and the health risks involved. This has prompted the FDA to re-open the case they closed in 1990. An unnamed FDA chemist reports recent tests do indicate a problem with benzene levels in some soft drinks.
The "FDA re-opens probe into benzene contamination of soft drinks," goes on to historically reference internal memos and internal meetings into who did what and when they did it. At this time, the official position of the FDA is that it will decide what actions it feels needs to be taken, but continues not to issue any public announcement of the possible problem. Because these products are sold worldwide, other countries are looking into the levels of benzene in soft drinks and to examine the health dangers it may represent for the consumer.
