Fizzy drinks... best before dates

[LaLaLand2006]

How long after the best before date is it safe to drink fizzy pop? Just been drinking a bottle of Lilt I've just bought from my local shop - best before Feb 06!

[alfiebrady]

If you're worried, probably best to avoid. There've been reports recently of benzene (a carcinogen) traces found in soft drinks. Believed to be formed when two common ingredients react - sodium benzoate and ascorbic acid (Vit. C). But this also requires temperature or light; long shelf stays would make this likelier, I reckon.

[alfiebrady]

Oops sorry. Just noticed you said you've drunk it. Just forget it and avoid in future.

[beejaybee]

Why the heck didn`t you take it back?? unless it was reduced, the shop should NOT have been selling out of date products.

[clairey-s]

yeah!! get em told!! and im sure it'll b fine, i mean bottled water has a sell by date for goodness sakes, and it says consume within 3 days of opening! whats that aboot? (yes thats suposed to be aboot not about!)

xx