Aroma Research For Consumer Protection Studies On The Formation Of Benzene From Benzaldehyde

The exposure of humans to benzene should be minimized due to its health risk. Humans are mainly exposed by the air they inhale. The dietary intake is relatively low. However, benzene has been detected in drinks with added cherry flavor, and it was suggested that benzene could be formed from the odorant benzaldehyde. Benzaldehyde is used, for example, for flavoring beverages with cherry flavor. It was found that in particular irradiation with light increased benzene formation. It was assumed that benzene detected in commercial cherry juice soft drinks may be added as contaminant of the flavoring containing benzaldehyde. Thus, to avoid benzene formation, flavorings containing benzaldehyde should be protected from light by using amber glass vials during production, storage, and sale.