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Group warns against beverages that may contain cancer-causing chemical
March 1, 2006
The Environmental Working Group is calling on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to take a closer look at several popular soft drinks, saying they contain two ingredients that can mix together to form the cancer-causing chemical benzene.
In a news
release from the EWG, the organization
says it sent a letter to
the FDA yesterday, requesting the agency
notify the public about the presence of
ascorbic acid and either sodium benzoate
or potassium benzoate in some soft drinks—ingredients
the FDA and
the beverage industry have said can mix
together to form benzene,
a known human carcinogen.
Says the EWG: "The
actual levels of benzene formed in these
products may be at trace levels and within
legal limits for drinking water. EWG has
no information indicating that benzene
is actually present in any of these
products at any level, however, we recommend
that consumers avoid any amount of benzene
in drinks intended for children."
The FDA told
CBS there may be a problem with ingredients
in the drinks, but added that it has not released
any official warnings or recalls and is beginning
an investigation into the matter.
via: Environmental
Health News
murmur categories: health, food/drink
tags: consumers consumer news consumerism health research FDA benzene cancer
posted by Tessa | 9:53 AM (ET) | Permalink
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