FDA Knew About Benzene in Soda

A newly discovered Food and Drug Administration report shows the agency had data at least three years ago that some soft drinks had unsafe levels of cancer-causing benzene. Known as the Total Diet Study, the report shows that between 1995 and 2001, nearly 80 percent of the diet cola that the FDA sampled had benzene levels higher than the limit allowable in drinking water. Among 24 diet cola samples, 19 had levels that were on average four times higher.
The study did not identify brands.
Once again, the public discovers that a government “watchdog group” had information in its possession which could have been of benefit to the general public and once again the group chose to withhold it. What good is such a group if it isn’t protecting the public?