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Sodium Benzoate Risk Intensifies
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Sodium Benzoate- Article
Side1
Sodium Benzoate Risk
Intensifies
June, 2006
Sodium benzoate is a commonly added preservative in food and drink products.
helpful insight into some ongoing concerns about the use of this chemical in food preservation:
Preservatives such as sugar, table salt and vinegar have been used for thousands of years and
generally don't cause negative reactions. The more 'modern' preservatives like sulphur dioxide,
sodium benzoate, nitrates, sorbic acid and pimaricin are all implicated in various allergic
reactions. . . .
Sulphur dioxide, sodium benzoate and tartrazine are well known culprits that cause wheeziness
and 'tight' chests in asthmatics. Other people develop sore, scratchy throats or skin rashes and
hives. Health 24.com gives1
Such problems and more, as they relate to sodium benzoate, have been an ongoing concern for
prominent nutrition experts like Dr. Earl Mindell. His thoughts on this have been clearly expressed in
his book
Despite GRAS [Generally Recognized As Safe] status, benzoic acid and its salt sodium
benzoate have been implicated in causing hyperactivity in children and mild to severe reactions
in allergic individuals; for dogs and cats, 2 grams are lethal. Since this preservative combines
with glycine in the liver, increasing that organ's workload, anyone with cirrhosis, hepatitis, or
other liver ailment should consult a physician before consuming products containing benzoate
additives. Unsafe at Any Meal:2
Early this year, the level of concern regarding sodium benzoate has risen dramatically. Information
known only to the FDA and the beverage industry for the past 15 years regarding sodium benzoate's
role in the formation of benzene in various sodas and juices has now become public knowledge.
As a result, many class action lawsuits have recently been launched against numerous beverage
companies, including Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Cadbury Schweppes, Kraft Foods, Polar Beverages, and
Ocean Spray Cranberries. Some companies have had products ordered off the market
such as Safeway and Kraft Foods, have been reformulating products in an attempt to reduce the
benzene content
The focus is on any drink containing two ingredients: ascorbic acid (vitamin C), and either potassium
benzoate or sodium benzoate. Professor Glen Lawrence of Long Island University performed the FDA
tests, published in 1993, that showed this combination could react to form benzene in drinks. He
recommends that industry not manufacture product containing these two ingredients together, and has
said that “If they know this has a chance to form benzene, they should leave it out.” 3, while others,4.5
Highlighting the serious nature of these concerns are the following:
The World Health Organization (WHO) states that there is “unequivocal evidence of the
carcinogenicity of benzene in humans”
recommended.” 6 and that “no safe level of exposure can be7
Side 2
Short-term exposure [to benzene] may cause “temporary nervous system disorders, immune
system depression, anemia.” 8
Times Online calls benzene “an aggressive carcinogen” that “may lead to leukemia and other
cancers of the blood”. 9
Richard Wiles, Senior Vice President of The Environmental Working Group (EWG), a nonprofit
environmental watchdog organization, said that “Benzene . . . is a known human
carcinogen, a very toxic compound,” and that “There should be no benzene in sodas or
juices.” 10
Other concerns are possible “stomach pain, vomiting, dizziness, accelerated heart rate, and even
death.” 11
Health conscious consumers can avoid these dangerous and unacceptable risks by staying away from
products containing sodium benzoate.
ENDNOTES
1. Dr. I. V. van Heerden, DietDoc, “Diet Doc's Articles: Allergic To Preservatives?” Health24.com (June 1,2006)
. http://www.health24.com/dietnfood/DietDocs_articles/15-1871,14452.asp
2.
Hill, 2002), p. 29. Earl Mindell, R. Ph., Ph. D. , and Hester Mundis, “Unsafe at Any Meal,” Rev. and updated (New York: McGraw-
3.
Issues, Environmental Working Group, “FDA Data Undercut Public Safety Assurances by Top Agency Official”. EWGApril 4, 2006. http://www.ewg.org/issues/toxics/20060404/index.php
4. HEALTHWATCH, “FDA: Too Much Benzene in Some Drinks,” CBS News, Washington, May 19, 2006.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/05/19/health/main1638170.shtml
5. Suzanne Havala Hobbs, “Get Benzene Out of the Soft Drinks,” On the Table, March 2, 2006.
http://www.onthetable.net/current_column.html
6.
Quality,”
in
Health Organization, Geneva, 1996. “Benzene in Drinking-water: Background Document for Development of WHO Guidelines for Drinking-waterWorld Health Organization. WHO/SDE/WSH/03.04/24 English only, 2003: p. 4. Originally publishedGuidelines for drinking-water quality, 2nd ed. Vol.2. Health criteria and other supporting information. Worldhttp://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/benzene.pdf
7. Environmental Working Group, “FDA Data Undercut Public Safety Assurances by Top Agency Official”.
8.
& Drinking Water. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “Consumer Factsheet on: BENZENE,” online ed., Ground Waterhttp://www.epa.gov/safewater/dwh/c-voc/benzene.html (May 29, 2006).
9. Rajeev Syal, “Soft Drinks Found to Have High Levels of Cancer Chemical,” Times Online, March 2, 2006.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2065539,00.htm
10. Environmental Working Group, “Toxic Soft Drinks,” EWG in the News, May 15, 2006
http://www.ewg.org/news/story.php?id=5320
11. Online Lawyer Source, “Ingredients Form Benzene: Benzene Found in Children's Drinks” March 1, 2006.
http://www.onlinelawyersource.com/news/benzene-soda.html
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