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Diet Coke's controversial additive to stay
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COCA-COLA Australia has no plans to phase out a controversial additive in its drinks, despite moves in Britain to remove it.
Sodium benzoate has been linked to damage to DNA and hyperactivity in children, and is used as a preservative in Diet Coke in Australia.
Coca-Cola in Britain said it had begun withdrawing the additive from Diet Coke in January in response to consumer demand for more natural products.
Sodium benzoate is used to stop fizzy drinks going mouldy.
It is found naturally in some fruits, including bananas, but is used in greater strengths in the soft drink industry.
A statement from Coca-Cola revealed there were no plans to change the formulation of the popular drink in Australia.
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"The use of food additives is strictly regulated under Australian law," it stated.
"All of the ingredients used in products of The Coca-Cola Company are safe and approved for use by the Food Standards Australia New Zealand."
A survey by FSANZ in 2006 found levels of benzene and sodium benzoate in soft drinks were well below World Health Organisation guidelines for levels in drinking water.
Even so, they have been working with the food industry to reduce the level of benzene in drinks.
By Michelle Pountney
Source: News InteractiveAll rights reserved.