China's quality watchdog on March 9 declared soft drinks on the
Chinese market safe by virtue of their benzene contents measuring
below 10 parts per billion, which is the international safe
limit.
The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection
and Quarantine made the announcement after it completed a national
quality check of more than 170 kinds of imported and
domestically-made soft drinks.
Benzene contents in all the samples measured less than 10 parts
per billion, which is the benchmark set by China's Ministry of
Health in line with World Health Organization requirements.
Officials with the administration said they will keep a close
watch on other countries to see if they adjust their benzene
content regulations in soft drinks. Meanwhile, it will also further
strengthen quality inspections of domestic and imported soft drinks
in the Chinese market.
Recent media reports said that small amounts of benzene were
found in drinks fortified with Vitamin C and sodium benzoate. The
benzene is reportedly the result of the chemical reaction between
the two. Products of two of the world's largest brands of soft
drinks, Coca-Cola and Pepsi, were also alleged to contain trace
amounts of benzene.
Scientific studies have shown that high doses of benzene can
cause cancer.
Industry insiders say that most soft drinks contain some sodium
benzoate.
(Xinhua News Agency March 14, 2006)