Diet Coke to *stop* causing cancer

Coca-Cola is phasing out a controversial additive that has been linked to damage to DNA and hyperactivity in children.
Sodium benzoate, soda's best friend, is one of those terms on the can I am familiar with, but know little about. It is used to stop fizzy drinks going moldy.

Coca-Cola said it had begun withdrawing the additive from Diet Coke in January in response to consumer demand for more natural products. By the end of the year no can or bottle will contain the 'benz.

Coke plans to remove it from other drinks as well, but as of yet has failed to find an acceptable replacement in those sodas that actually have juice (Fanta, Dr Pepper, Sprite, etc.)

While sodium benzoate occurs naturally in some fruits, it is used in greater strengths by the soft drinks industry.

Research by Peter Piper, a professor of molecular biology at Sheffield University, found that the additive could switch off parts of DNA; that could be linked to cirrhosis of the liver and Parkinson's disease.
"The Man" (in this case, british govt) argues that while sodium benzoate has been shown to be harmful to yeast cells, human cells are stronger...thus disproving the importance of the study.

Research by Southampton University found that sodium benzoate was one of seven additives - the six others are food colours - hat can lead to hyperactivity in children.
The Food Standards Agency has called for the six colours to be withdrawn from products but not sodium benzoate.