Excessive amounts of Benzoic acid caused nine soft drinks manufactured by the Coco-Cola Company to fail quality inspections and be withdrawn from sale, according to recent report published by China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.

The withdrawn beverages include Sunkist brand strawberry, orange and grape flavored soda; Crush brand cherry, grape, strawberry and orange soft drinks; and A&W brand cream soda and root beer.

Importer Shenzhen Lanka Industry Co has now returned the products.

Benzoic acid is a food additive that suppresses bacterial growth, but long-term consumption could potentially damage the digestive system and disrupt the blood acid-base balance.