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At EWG, our team of scientists, engineers, policy experts, lawyers and computer programmers pores over government data, legal documents, scientific studies and our own laboratory tests to expose threats to your health and the environment, and to find solutions. Our research brings to light unsettling facts that you have a right to know.

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A list of drinks containing ascorbic acid and either sodium benzoate or potassium benzoate: A list of drinks containing ascorbic acid and either sodium benzoate or potassium benzoate


On February 24 and February 27, 2006, EWG purchased the following drinks at four major retail outlets in Washington, DC. They all contained ascorbic acid and either sodium benzoate or potassium benzoate—the ingredients that the FDA and the beverage industry have said can mix together to form benzene, a known human carcinogen. The actual levels of benzene formed in these products may be at trace levels and well within legal limits for drinking water.

  • Country Time Lemonade
  • Crystal Light Sunrise Classic Orange
  • Diet Pepsi Twist
  • Diet Pepsi Vanilla
  • Diet RockStar Energy Drink
  • Fanta Orange
  • Fanta Pineapple
  • Fruit20 Plus 10 Natural Apple
  • Giant Fruity Punch Cooler
  • Hawaiian Punch Fruit Juicy Red
  • Hawaiian Punch Lemonade
  • Hi-C Blast, Orange Supernova
  • Kool-Aid Jammers Blue-Raspberry
  • Kool-Aid Jammers Cherry
  • Kool-Aid Jammers Grape
  • Kool-Aid Jammers Orange
  • Lo-Carb Monster Energy
  • Monster Energy
  • Pepsi Twist Lemon
  • RockStar Energy Drink
  • Sierra Mist
  • Sunkist
  • Sunny D
  • Sunny D Baja
  • Sunny D Intense Sport Cool Punch
  • Sunny D Orange-Fused Strawberry
  • Sunny D Smooth
  • Sunny D Smooth + Calcium
  • Tampico Citrus Punch
  • Tampico Grape Punch
  • Tampico Tropical Punch
  • Tropicana Twister Diet Soda (Diet Orange)
  • Tropicana Twister Soda Grape
  • Tropicana Twister Soda Orange
  • Tropicana Twister Soda Strawberry