Sodium Benzoate and Potassium Sorbate in Some Beverages in Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan Region of Iraq: A Health Risk Assessment Study by Monte Carlo Simulation

The objective of the present research was to examine the contents of sodium benzoate (SB) and potassium sorbate (PS) in different beverage samples, including carbonated soft drinks, energy drinks, and fruit juices in Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan region of Iraq, using high-performance liquid chromatography with a UV detector (HPLC-UV). Furthermore, the health risks associated with these preservatives in beverages were evaluated for adults and children using Monte Carlo simulations. The mean levels of SB in carbonated soft drinks, energy drinks, and fruit juices were 103.82 ± 25.02, 70.64 ± 14.29, and 77.86 ± 33.69 mg/L, respectively. The average concentration of PS in carbonated soft drinks, energy drinks, and fruit juices was <LOD, 22.92 ± 3.88, and 118.48 ± 34.96 mg/L, respectively. SB and PS levels in samples were within standard limits set by the Codex. The health risk assessment results indicate that the hazard quotient (HQ) values of SB and PS in all beverage samples were below one and acceptable. Considering our findings, it appears that SB and PS levels in carbonated soft drinks, energy drinks, and fruit juices are not associated with a safety risk to Iraqi consumers.