Soft Drinks

"When law and morality contradict each other, the citizen has the cruel alternative of either losing his moral sense or losing his respect for the law." Frederic Bastiat - (1801-1850) French economist, statesman, and author.  Source: The Law, by Frederic Bastiat, 1850

Lisa found that some soft drinks were found to contain the human carcinogen benzene in levels up to 10-20 parts per billion (ppb) -- four times the acceptable limit found in drinking water. Benzene, a chemical linked to leukemia and other forms of cancer, forms in certain beverages under certain conditions, such as exposure to heat and light. Environmental Protection Agency requires public notification and alternative water supply for drinking water contaminated with levels of 5 ppb of benzine. Even "relatively short periods" of exposure at that level can "potentially cause. temporary nervous system disorders, immune system depression [and] anemia," according to the agency. A lifetime of exposure, says the EPA, can cause "chromosome aberrations [and] cancer."

Various chemists determined that the benzene was caused by a chemical reaction between the preservative sodium benzoate and ascorbic acid (Vitamin C). The effect was found to be especially prevalent in diet sodas, and rose up to even higher levels after products were subjected to extremes of heat and light.

You will never see on the Soda bottle whether it contains the combination of sodium (or potassium) benzoate and ascorbic acid due to once again the hiding of ingredients and contents on food labeling. Why would determined steps be taken by politicians and governments to hide ingredients and thus remove conscious choice?