Dr. Iona Pratt

Dr Iona Pratt, chief specialist in toxicology with the FSAI said the levels in most of the drinks were not enough to cause harm.

"The levels recommended by the WHO is 10 parts per billion.These drinks all had well below that," she said.

Dr. Iona Pratt, Chief Specialist in Toxicology, Food Safety Authority of Ireland.

Speaking on the health implications of exposure to acrylamide, Dr Iona Pratt, Chief Specialist: Toxicology, FSAI said that it is only possible to speculate as to the extent acrylamide in food contributes to dietary related cancers.

According to Dr Iona Pratt, chief specialist in toxicology at the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, whilst gathering of information on SEM is not fully completed, a clear preliminary finding is that the risk is very small and further scientific research will be undertaken to exactly define the level of this small risk.

"Consumers need to be informed of this issue, but we would stress that they should not be unduly concerned as the risk associated with eating foods containing SEM is very small.No immediate action on the part of consumers or retailers is required in relation to the consumption of baby foods and other foods packed in glass jars and bottles," said Dr Pratt.

Dr Iona Pratt, Chief Specialist in Toxicology, Food Standards Authority of Ireland (FSAI).

Iona Pratt, the FSAI's chief specialist of toxicology, said the levels of benzene found would not have presented a risk to the health of consumers who may have consumed these products.

"However, two products were found to be over the guideline levels for benzene, and we urge the beverage industry to be vigilant and to apply best practice guidelines on avoiding the formation of benzene in soft drinks," she stated in a press release.