Rob writes:

Subject: Lipton's Diet Citrus Green tea

Hi. I just heard about the scare that Ascorbic Acid with Sodium Benzoate or Benzoic Acid could and do combine in various drinks to form benzene - a know cancer (leukemia) causing agent. I also heard that this only occurs if there is also a certain mineral present in the drink. What is this mineral and is this true? We drink a lot of Lipton's Diet Citrus Green Tea - should we stop drinking this product? Is it not safe since it contains both Ascorbic Acid and Sodium Benzoate? Help!!

Brenda Skidmore writes:

Subject: Article Author

I have not heard about the mineral thing you are talking about, although it could possibly be true. I don't know why you all are drinking a lot of processed green tea. I don't like artificial sweeteners at all and they can cause all kinds of side effects from mild to severe. If you are drinking it to keep from gaining weight artificial sweeteners do more harm than good(they are believed to actually cause you to eat more). Try brewing your own green tea and use 'Stevia' to sweeten. You can find it at your local health food store. If you all are drinking a lot of this beverage just because you like it, then I would try to quit , as the cancer causing chemical 'benene' would be enough of a motovator in getting me into not liking it.