Study: Your favorite soda may contain alcohol
Cola companies say trace levels of alcohol occur naturally
A new French study suggests that there may be a reason why sodas are such a popular beverage: some contain trace amounts of alcohol.
The study, which was published by the consumer magazine "60 Millions de Consommateurs," conducted a laboratory analysis of 20 brands of colas including the top beverages, Coca-Cola and Pepsi, to determine what plant extracts and compounds are used in the production of the products.
According to researchers, almost half of the tested colas contain alcohol, however at very low doses -- less than 10 mg of ethanol per liter, or 0.001 percent.
So the average soda drinker would have to consume at least 13,000 cans of cola in one sitting in order to reach a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent, which is recognized as the level for impairment of normal faculties in most states.
Coke indicates on its website that, "Coca-Cola is recognized as a non-alcoholic beverage and we do not add alcohol as an ingredient. Trace levels of alcohol can occur naturally in many foods and beverages. Governments and religious organizations have recognized that such minute levels are considered acceptable in nonalcoholic foods and beverages."
"Our products are safe and meet the safety requirements, laws and practices in every country where our brands are sold."
According to the study, the researchers didn't intend to focus on the presence of alcohol in cola, but instead sought to inform consumers about what's in their favorite drinks because food allergies are steadily increasing.
One of the other revelations the study cited was that consuming a can of Coca-Cola Classic or Pepsi is the equivalent of ingesting six sugar cubes.
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