I have enjoyed drinking BUBBL’R as many of us have for a long time. I always thought it was generally better because of the numbers on the package—no fat, no sugar, no problem, right? When Alani and other potent energy drinks became popular, I stuck to BUBBL’R because I thought it had massively better ingredients. I was wrong.

Potassium benzoate is a preservative used in many food and beverage products, yet there is little research on its long-term effects. While deemed safe in small quantities by regulatory bodies, concerns about the safety of potassium benzoate arise when it is combined with ascorbic acid (vitamin C), a common ingredient in BUBBL’R drinks. This combination can potentially form benzene, a known carcinogen. In an era where we strive to lead healthier lives and make informed choices, it feels confusing and concerning that such a risk is present in a drink marketed as a healthier option.

Numerous studies suggest caution due to high risk, and given there are plenty of alternatives to preservatives, it's crucial that we demand our favorite brands make safer choices for us. The removal of potassium benzoate from their products will make BUBBL’R a truly healthier choice.

BUBBL’R has a loyal customer base that enjoys their products for their energy-boosting and hydrating properties. By making this change, BUBBL’R can ensure consumer trust and foster a safe, loyal community that stands by healthier options.

I will not be buying any more BUBBL’R until this ingredient is removed. Join me in urging BUBBL’R to eliminate this ingredient from their products to not only safeguard our health but to uphold the promise of a genuinely healthier alternative. Please sign this petition to make BUBBL’R rethink their ingredient list and commit to a safer, cleaner energy drink option.

While potassium benzoate is considered safe in limited amounts, its presence in Bubblr becomes concerning when paired with ascorbic acid (vitamin C)—an ingredient found in the same can. Under certain conditions like heat exposure or prolonged storage, these two ingredients can react to form benzene, a known human carcinogen according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). In fact, in a 2006 FDA investigation, multiple soft drinks tested contained benzene levels that exceeded federal safety standards for drinking water (5 parts per billion). Though manufacturers have taken steps to reformulate many beverages, potassium benzoate remains widely used, even in drinks advertised as “clean” or “healthy.”

Moreover, several scientific studies have flagged potential DNA damage, oxidative stress, and developmental risks linked to high concentrations of potassium benzoate in lab and animal models. A 2011 study found that potassium benzoate was mutagenic and cytotoxic to human cells in vitro, and a separate study reported birth defects in fetal mice after high-dose exposure. While these effects were seen at larger doses than what's in a single drink, the lack of long-term human research—especially on cumulative daily exposure from multiple sources—raises serious questions about its inclusion in drinks marketed toward health-conscious consumers.

QUOTES:

From the FDA's official Q&A on benzene in beverages:

“Benzene can form at very low levels (ppb level) in some beverages that contain both benzoate salts and ascorbic acid (vitamin C)… Exposure to heat and light can stimulate the formation of benzene.”

From Zengin et al. (2011) published in Food and Chemical Toxicology:

“SB and PB significantly decreased the mitotic index… Although SB significantly increased DNA damage, PB did not cause a significant increase in DNA damage. The present results indicate that SB and PB are clastogenic, mutagenic and cytotoxic to human lymphocytes in vitro.

From a scientific review in Benzene as a Chemical Hazard in Processed Foods (2015):

“At a temperature of 50°C and reaction time of 3 hours… containing… 8 mM ascorbic acid, 6.25 mM benzoic acid…and 0.25 mM CuSO₄… benzene did form.”

From a 2006 Environmental Working Group (EWG) release:

“Benzene is a potent carcinogen that has no place in foods and drinks targeted to children… To steer clear of chemicals… consumers should avoid products that contain both ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and either sodium benzoate or potassium benzoate.”

 

We are just asking for transparency and responsibility from BUBBL'R. We are not calling them evil in any way, in fact we love the drink! We are not suggesting malicious intent. What we are saying is that when a product is marketed as a healthier alternative, the ingredients should be held to a higher standard of safety and transparency. Potassium benzoate is a legal preservative. It’s FDA-approved in limited amounts. However, studies show that it can react with vitamin C, WHICH DOES NOT HAPPEN IN ALL CASES. We are not concerned about fear mongering, but informed caution. 

Our goal is to raise awareness and encourage bubblr to reformulate their product using safer alternatives, like other preservatives that don't carry those same risks.

 Consumers deserve to know what’s in their drinks and how those ingredients interact, especially when buying a product that markets itself as “better for you.”