Sodium benzoate / benzoic acid are used to prevent the growth of microorganisms in acidic foods. They are natural substances.
However, in beverages with ascorbic acid (vitamin C), a chemical reaction creates small amount of benzene, a carcinogen.
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Sources:
1. Gardner LK, Lawrence GD. Benzene production from decarboxylation of benzoic acid in the presence of ascorbic acid and a transition-metal catalyst. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 1993;41(5):693–695
2. Bonaccorsi G, Perico A, Bavazzano P, et al. Benzene in soft drinks: a study in Florence (Italy). Igiene e sanita pubblica 2012;68(4):523-32.
3. Li L, Li H, Zhang X, Wang L, Xu L, Wang X, Yu Y, Zhang Y, Cao G. Pollution characteristics and health risk assessment of benzene homologues in ambient air in the northeastern urban area of Beijing, China. Journal of Environmental Sciences 2014;26(1):214-23.
· Focuses on benzene in the air vs. food. However, supports cancer risk from benzene exposure
4. Huff J. Benzene-induced cancers: abridged history and occupational health impact. International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health 2007;13(2):213-21.
5. Smith, MT. Advances in understanding benzene health effects and susceptibility. Annual Review of Public Health 2010;31:133-48
6. Nyman PJ, Diachenko GW, Perfetti GA, McNeal TP, Hiatt MH, Morehouse KM. Survey results of benzene in soft drinks and other beverages by headspace gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2008;56(2):571-6.
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