The US has banned the import of soft drinks with a benzene level of more than 5 parts per billion (ppb) as the substance is carcinogenic. The cause of benzene in soft drinks is the reaction between the preservative sodium benzoate and ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) at a certain temperature. As fruit juice soft drinks have been the general carrier of reactions resulting in greater than 5 ppb of benzene, US health industries have suggested to importing companies that they not add more Vitamin C to the naturally Vitamin C rich juices and use another preservation substance than sodium benzoate.
If you or someone you know has been injured by a defective product such as soft drinks containing carcinogenic benzene, please feel free to contact a personal injury lawyer such as Pomerantz, Perlberger and Lewis in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
