12 June 2006 - The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today issued the results of a survey into the levels of benzene in soft drinks on the market in Ireland. Some 76 samples of soft drinks, squashes and flavoured waters available for sale on the Irish market were tested by the Galway Public Analyst Laboratory on behalf of the FSAI earlier this year.
No traces of benzene were detected in 91% (69 of 76) of the samples, however two products (Club Diet Lemon and Rose’s Diabetic Squash Concentrate) were found with levels over 10 parts per billion (ppb). Follow-up analysis of these two products took place and both were voluntarily removed from sale in the Irish market.
Benzene is a chemical that is also found in the environment and has carcinogenic (cancer-causing) properties. It can also be formed in certain soft drinks during their shelf-life, depending on the composition and storage conditions. This is due to a chemical reaction between benzoates (preservatives) and vitamin C in the drink, rather than contamination of the drink from an external source. There is no legislative limit for benzene in soft drinks, but most EU Member States opt for the World Health Organization's (WHO) limit for drinking water of 10 ppb.
During the survey, it was noted that the two soft drinks found to contain elevated benzene levels were past their best-before date. This is not an offence in food law, however the retailers involved were notified and have given assurances to the FSAI that stock procedures in the stores involved have been reviewed and strengthened.
Commenting on the findings of the survey, Dr Iona Pratt, Chief Specialist Toxicology, FSAI, welcomed the overall findings of the survey. “The levels of benzene found would not have presented a risk to the health of consumers who may have consumed these products. However, two products were found to be over the guideline levels for benzene, and we urge the beverage industry to be vigilant and to apply best practice guidelines on avoiding the formation of benzene in soft drinks. These guidelines are available from the Beverage Council of Ireland”, she said.
The FSAI will continue to closely monitor the levels of benzene in soft drinks but considers that the levels reported in soft drinks are generally very low, and hence present a very low risk to health. However, the FSAI maintains that the levels of benzene should be maintained below 10 ppb and beverages with higher levels should not be placed on the market.