Dr Pepper batches withdrawn in NI

Some batches of the soft drink Dr Pepper have been withdrawn in Northern Ireland, because of high levels of benzoic acid.

Coca Cola Hellenic Bottling Company is contacting all its customers who received the affected drinks.

The affected bottles have only been distributed in Northern Ireland and the Republic and no other batches of Dr Pepper are known to be affected.

The Food Standards Agency has issued a food alert for information.

Benzoic acid is used in many foods to stop harmful micro-organisms growing.

However, high levels can lead to the formation of the cancer-causing agent benzene.