July 2007 Benzoates Preserve Soft Drinks, Other – But Are They Safe?

Benzoates are added to may form The FDA found that many beverages and foods in A problem may occur benzene levels were high order to inhibit the growth of under some conditions. (from 7 to 89 ppb, much bacteria, yeasts, fungi and Benzene may form in higher than the acceptable 5 molds. beverages and foods that ppb limit) in ten of the In the U.S., soft drinks contain both benzoates and almost 200 soft drinks and contribute the highest . Certain amounts other beverages they have amount of benzoates to the of benzene can cause cancer tested since 2005. diet, according to the (leukemia) in humans, and Nine of the high-benzene International Programme on can cross the placenta to beverages contained both Chemical Safety. affect an unborn baby. added benzoates and Benzoates are also used According to the U.S. ascorbic acid. Another as a in some and Drug beverage – a cranberry juice juices, in foods such as salad Administration (FDA) and beverage that had naturally- dressings, soy sauces and the Health Protection Branch occurring benzoates, but no pickles; and in toothpastes, in Canada, low levels of added ones, and had added mouthwashes and other benzene in food and ascorbic acid – also tested products. beverage products do not high for benzene. The Small amounts of dietary pose a safety concern for beverages found by the FDA benzoates come from those consumers. to have high benzene levels that are naturally present in The U.S. Environmental have been reformulated to some fruits and their juices, Protection Agency (EPA) has meet acceptable limits for such as most berries, apples set five parts per billion (5 benzene. and prunes; and in other ppb) as the maximum The presence of foods, including nuts, dairy allowable contaminant level benzoates and vitamin C as products, honey, cinnamon for how much benzene can ingredients in a product and cloves. be present in drinking water. doesn’t mean that benzene Vitamin C, also called However, the FDA has no has formed or will form. For ascorbic acid, is another regulatory limits for benzene more than 100 other soft ingredient that is often added in any beverages except drinks and other beverages – or that is naturally present in bottled water, for which the including those containing some beverages and foods. It FDA uses the EPA’s quality both benzoates and ascorbic also helps to prevent standard of 5 ppb. acid – the FDA found either spoilage or is added to provide additional nutrition. Nutrition News from the Department of Human Nutrition, K-State Research and Extension, Kansas State University Page 2 of 2 nodetectable amounts of What can be done? Here’s how you can reduce benzene or benzene levels More research is needed your exposure to dietary that were below the EPA’s on this important issue. benzoates: acceptable limit. Similar According to the ƒ Read the ingredient results were found in International Programme on labels on favorite samples of hundreds of Chemical Safety, the current beverages and foods to beverages tested previously documentation of health identify which products by other national and effects of benzoates is contain added international government limited and inadequate. benzoates. agencies and the beverage The FDA, the ƒ Reduce your industry. International Council of consumption of products Benzene levels can vary a Beverages Associations, and containing added great deal from one product the American Beverage benzoates. For instance, lot to the next. The FDA Association are working limit soft drinks. For found that even products with the beverage industry to juice, you might prefer from the same lot but avoid or minimize benzene concentrates that are collected at different formation in beverages. frozen without added locations had different The FDA plans to benzoates. benzene levels, depending continue its testing program ƒ Reduce consumption of on many factors. for benzene in soft drinks products containing both An elevated temperature and other beverages to added benzoates and and the presence of light monitor levels. The agency ascorbic acid. during shipping, handling or states that it will inform the ƒ Store soft drinks and storage makes the formation public as new data become juices preserved with of benzene more likely. available. benzoates that also Consumers concerned contain ascorbic acid at Benzoate safety questioned about getting too many cool temperatures, out of There may be a second benzoates, or about possibly direct light. Do not store potential problem with getting benzene from them for an extended benzoates. Preliminary reactions occurring in their time, but rather consume research done in England on foods and beverages, can them soon after yeast cells showed that take action now to reduce purchase. benzoates increase the need their intake. The estimated for antioxidants because it U.S. intake by high increases oxidative stress. consumers of benzoates is Benzoates may also damage 7.3 milligrams per kilogram part of the cell’s ability to body weight per day, use oxygen properly, according to the according to unpublished International Programme on research from the same Chemical Safety. laboratory. Benzoates Preserve Soft Drinks, Other Foods – But Are They Safe?; July 2007. Nutrition News from the Department of Human Nutrition, K-State Research and Extension, Kansas State University Page 3 of 3

References (accessed 7/16/07): 1. FDA, updated July 12, 2007; Questions and Answers on the Occurrence of Benzene in Soft Drinks and Other Beverages; www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/benzqa.html

2. International Programme on Chemical Safety, 2000, and , www.inchem.org/documents/cicads/cicads cicad26.htm#PartNumber:1

3. Piper PW, 1999, Yeast superoxide dismutase mutants reveal a pro-oxidant action of weak organic acid food , Free Radic Biol Med, 27(11-12):1219-1227

For more information about healthy eating, contact your local extension office. The Food Assistance Program can help people of all ages with low income buy nutritious foods for a better diet. To find out more, call toll-free 1-888-369-4777.

Contents of this publication may be freely reproduced for educational purposes. All other rights reserved. In each case, credit Mary Meck Higgins, Ph.D., R.D., L.D., CDE, Associate Professor, Department of Human Nutrition; Kansas State University; Benzoates Preserve Soft Drinks, Other Foods – But Are They Safe?; July 2007.

K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan. This material was funded in part by USDA’s Food Stamp Program through a contract with Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services. Brand names appearing in this publication are for product identification purposes only. No endorsement is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar products not mentioned. Kansas State University is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, Manhattan, Kansas. Kansas State University, County Extension Councils, Extension Districts, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating.

Benzoates Preserve Soft Drinks, Other Foods – But Are They Safe?; July 2007.