From the Independent: Caution: Some soft drinks may seriously harm your health

Sheffield University in the UK has found that Sodium Benzoate, in addition to possibly causing cancer, can damage DNA. It is most commonly found in colas/sodas/soft drinks (the common name may vary according to your geographical location).

I stay away from processed, sugary drinks anyway, unless they are home-made by the drinks vendor. But this preservative is likely to be in other food too… I do dislike that food labeling here in Singapore can let some companies get away with just listing “permitted preservatives” in its ingredients. I feel like it treats customers like idiots… “Don’t worry your pretty little head about our ingredients, because it’s all legal.” The wary, pregnant and/or health-conscious either have to trust that what’s permitted to be completely safe, or work harder to find out.