June 19, 2006 – Health Canada1 found benzene, a carcinogen, in about 20% of 118 drinks analyzed in a recent study.
The products that contained the highest concentrations of benzene were Kool-Aid Jammers, Mott’s Margarita Mix, and Rose’s Cocktail Infusion. Health Canada specifies, however, that the consumption of these drinks presented no health risk. These products have since been reformulated by their manufacturers to correct the problem.
The acceptable Canadian standard is 5 µg of benzene per liter of drinking water. The two fruit-flavored Kool-Aid products contained 23 µg / l and 19 µg / l, respectively, Mott’s Margarita Mix 9.9 µg / l and Rose’s Cocktail Infusion 6 µg / l. Sixteen other products contained benzene levels at or below the Canadian standard.
Benzene is an environmental contaminant that can be absorbed by plants and animals and thus enter the food chain. It can also be formed in drinks with the interaction of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and sodium benzoate or potassium benzoate, two preservatives commonly used to prevent the growth of bacteria. “However, the presence of ascorbic acid and benzoate in itself does not lead to the formation of benzene,” said Health Canada in a press release. Certain conditions predispose to the formation of traces of benzene, especially light and heat.
Exposure to benzene has been linked to different types of cancer, including leukemia, lymphoma, and lung and bladder cancers.
The complete list of drinks analyzed and the results obtained are available on the Health Canada website1.
Jean-Benoit Legault – PasseportSanté.net
According to Globe and Mail.
1. The Health Canada study: www.hc-sc.gc.ca [consulté le 19 juin 2006].
