MonaVie juices contain the preservative sodium benzoate and the antioxidant vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Is it true that sodium benzoate and vitamin C can react to form benzene?
In the presence of trace amounts of certain metals, which act as catalysts, vitamin C can produce free radicals that convert benzoate into benzene.
The FDA and World Health Organization have set a standard for benzene levels in water and that level is 5 parts per billion.
MonaVie tests its MonaVie juices for benzene regularly, and we are always well below the FDA’s and World Health Organization’s acceptable levels for benzene.