By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter
A civic group said Friday five drink companies promised to reduce the use of chemicals believed to be harmful in their drink products.
According to recent research by the Citizens' Movement for Environmental Justice, 17 out of 79 carbonated beverage products from the companies contained sodium benzoate, while 21 had food colorants.
Studies showed sodium benzoate can cause cirrhosis, Parkinson's disease and even cancer. Coal-tar colors can cause asthma and cancer and reduce the thrombosis.
The group sent the research results to the firms, and Lotte Chilsung Beverage said it would remove sodium benzoate from its products in four to five months, and replace coal-tar colors with natural colors. Korea Yakult said it would try to replace sodium benzoate with natural ingredients within the year.
Coca-Cola Korea Bottling said the chemicals were approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the company uses minimum amounts, adding it is studying the chemicals' safety and will come up with measures soon.
Nongshim, which imports Welch's drinks, said it is discussing with the U.S. headquarters about replacing the chemicals with natural ones. Donga-Otsuka said it asked Otsuka Pharmaceutical Group to send documents about Pocari Sweat, in which a small amount of MSG was found.