Since the 1990s, health officials have been concerned about the benzene levels in soft drinks. While benzene levels are measured in drinking water, no agency regulates the benzene levels in carbonated drinks and soft drinks. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that drinking water should have no more than five parts per billion of benzene. Some soft drinks have been tested and have benzene levels higher than that recommendation. Some scientists say that benzene levels increase when soft drinks are stored in heat and light. Other studies have shown that benzene levels are higher in soft drinks that are orange flavored.

The higher levels of benzene concern health officials because the substance is a carcinogen. Long-term exposure has been linked to leukemia and other health problems. While studies have acknowledged benzene exists in soft drinks, no studies have indicated if the exposure from drinking soft drinks causes health problems for people.