A scare over the chemical benzene has seen a number of fruity soft drinks withdrawn from the UK shelves.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) found that batches of Morrisons no added sugar pineapple & grapefruit crush, Co-op low calorie bitter lemon, Popstar still sugar free lemon & lime drink and Hyberry high juice no added sugar blackcurrant squash contained benzene, which has been linked to a higher risk of cancer.

While there is no legal limit for benzene in soft drinks sold in the UK, the FSA has stated its desire for drinks with no detectable traces of the chemical.

The UK checks began soon after high levels of benzene were found in similar soft drinks on sale in the US. The four withdrawn drinks were the only samples of 150 that showed levels above World Health Organization guidelines for benzene in drinking water. For more information, visit the FSA website at http://www.foodstandards.gov.uk/

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