Has mystery of why benzene forms in cherry-flavoured soft drinks been solved?
Photochemical reaction discovery points to simple way to prevent formation of the carcinogen
Small amounts of benzene found in some soft drinks in 2013 may have been caused by their benzaldehyde cherry flavouring interacting with light, according to new research. The reaction doesn’t happen in red cherry juice, however – and so it could be prevented by storing benzaldehyde flavouring in amber-coloured containers, say the researchers.