Consumers warned as drinks pulled from shelves

Consumers in the border region who shop in Northern Ireland have been warned to be on high alert after soft drinks with high levels of benzene were pulled from the shelves of British supermarkets.

Four products sold by Morrisons and Aldi were pulled from shelves in the UK yesterday after it emerged that they contained higher levels of benzene than is allowed in tap water.

The ingredient, which is linked to leukemia and other forms of cancer, was detected in a number of non-alcoholic drinks in Britain.

Many diet and low-calorie soft drinks contain benzene. Brands like Lilt, Robinsons and Kia Ora all have levels of benzene in their products.