Sodium benzoate is added to soft drinks as preservative. Benzene in soft drinks is of potential concern due to the carcinogenic nature of the benzene molecule. The major cause of benzene in soft drinks is the decarboxylation of benzoic acid in the presence of ascorbic acid (vitamin c). Other factors that affect the formation of benzene are heat and light. Storing soft drinks in warm conditions speed up the formation of benzene.
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