What Drinks Contain EDTA and Why?

November 29, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), food-grade EDTA is a generally recognized as safe (GRAS) additive used in many processed foods and drinks. Many common beverages, including soft drinks, bottled teas, and some alcoholic products, contain EDTA to help extend shelf life, stabilize color and flavor, and prevent oxidation. This chelating agent prevents spoilage by binding to trace metal ions, which can degrade the product over time.

Quick Summary

EDTA is a common food additive found in various drinks, including soft drinks, bottled juices, and some alcoholic beverages. Its primary function is to prevent spoilage by chelating metal ions, thereby preserving the product's color, flavor, and freshness. It also prevents the formation of benzene in soft drinks containing ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate.

Key Points

Carbonated soft drinks contain EDTA: Common brands of soft drinks and diet sodas often include EDTA to prevent flavor and color loss and inhibit benzene formation.
Bottled teas and juices use EDTA: EDTA stabilizes Vitamin C and prevents oxidation, which extends the shelf life and preserves the clarity and flavor of bottled teas and juices.
Beer and distilled spirits can have EDTA: In beer, it acts as an anti-gushing agent, while in distilled beverages like whiskey and vodka, it functions as a clarifying agent.
EDTA is a chelating agent: It binds to trace metal ions, neutralizing their ability to catalyze oxidation and spoil the product.
Food-grade EDTA is generally considered safe: The FDA and other regulatory bodies approve its use in low concentrations, and the body poorly absorbs and quickly excretes it.
EDTA prevents benzene formation: In soft drinks containing both ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate, EDTA is crucial for preventing the formation of carcinogenic benzene.

Common Drinks with Added EDTA

EDTA, or ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, is a chelating agent widely used across the food and beverage industry to preserve flavor, color, and freshness. It is most frequently encountered in processed, long-shelf-life drinks where consistency is paramount. Its ability to bind with trace metals from processing equipment helps prevent unwanted chemical reactions that can cause discoloration, flavor loss, and spoilage. Consumers can find it listed as Calcium Disodium EDTA or Disodium EDTA on ingredient labels.

Carbonated Soft Drinks

One of the most significant applications for EDTA is in the soft drink industry, particularly in brands from major manufacturers like Coca-Cola and PepsiCo. It serves a critical safety role in formulations containing both ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and sodium benzoate. Without a chelating agent like EDTA, these two ingredients can react to form benzene, a known carcinogen. By binding to metal ions that catalyze this reaction, EDTA significantly reduces or prevents benzene formation. Many popular sodas use this additive for flavor protection, including fruit and citrus-flavored varieties, as well as other sweetened canned or bottled options.

Bottled Teas and Fruit Juices

Bottled and canned teas, as well as many fruit-flavored beverages and juices, also rely on EDTA. In these acidic drinks, EDTA protects against the degradation of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), ensuring its nutritional value and taste are preserved. The chelating action prevents metal-induced oxidation, which would otherwise cause the beverage to lose clarity, flavor, and color more quickly. This is crucial for maintaining the product's quality over its extended shelf life.

Alcoholic Beverages

Certain alcoholic drinks, both fermented and distilled, may contain EDTA for various reasons. In beer, it functions as an anti-gushing agent, preventing the sudden, forceful foaming that can occur upon opening. The chelating properties stabilize the foaming process and help ensure product consistency. For distilled spirits like whiskey, vodka, and brandy, EDTA is sometimes used as a clarifying agent to maintain a clear appearance and prevent turbidity caused by metal impurities.

Comparison of EDTA Uses in Different Drinks

To illustrate the diverse roles of EDTA in various beverages, here is a comparison table outlining its function and impact.


Beverage Type	Primary Function of EDTA	Key Benefit	Potential Consequence Without EDTA
Carbonated Soft Drinks	Prevents benzene formation; preserves color and flavor.	Enhanced safety; stable taste and appearance.	Potential benzene contamination; flavor and color degradation.
Bottled Teas & Juices	Protects Vitamin C from oxidation; maintains clarity and taste.	Extended shelf life; preserved nutritional content.	Loss of vitamin C; discoloration; degraded flavor.
Beer	Acts as an anti-gushing agent; stabilizes foam.	Improved consumer experience; prevents product loss.	Uncontrolled gushing upon opening.
Distilled Spirits	Functions as a clarifying agent.	Consistent, clear product appearance.	Unstable color and potential turbidity.

Why is EDTA Used as a Food Additive?

EDTA's primary function across various food and drink products is its ability to bind with metal ions, a process known as chelation. Trace metals like iron and copper can inadvertently be introduced into products during processing or from packaging materials. While these metal levels are minute, they can act as catalysts for unwanted chemical reactions, such as oxidation, that degrade the product.

By sequestering these metal ions, EDTA neutralizes their effect, preventing the premature spoilage of food. This action is crucial for several reasons:

Prevents Oxidative Spoilage.
Stabilizes Color and Flavor.
Enhances Other Preservatives.
Ensures Product Consistency.

Are Drinks with EDTA Safe to Consume?

The food-grade versions of EDTA, most commonly calcium disodium EDTA, are considered safe for consumption at the low levels approved by regulatory bodies such as the FDA. Numerous studies have confirmed its safety profile in food applications. The human body poorly absorbs ingested EDTA, with most of it passing through the system without being metabolized. It is excreted via the kidneys and has a long history of safe use in the food supply.

It is important to distinguish food-grade EDTA from its pharmaceutical counterpart, which is administered intravenously under strict medical supervision to treat heavy metal poisoning. The low concentrations found in beverages pose no significant health risk to consumers. For those concerned about food additives, focusing on fresh, unprocessed foods and beverages is a recommended approach.

Conclusion

EDTA is a prevalent and useful food additive found in a wide variety of drinks, including soft drinks, bottled teas, juices, and specific alcoholic beverages. Its primary function is to preserve and stabilize these products by chelating trace metal ions, which prevents undesirable chemical reactions that can cause spoilage, discoloration, and flavor degradation. The food-grade form is widely regarded as safe for consumption in regulated amounts.

How to Find Drinks That Contain EDTA

For those wanting to avoid products with EDTA, read ingredient lists for names like "Calcium Disodium EDTA". Choosing freshly made drinks or refrigerated options over long-shelf-life canned or bottled ones can also help avoid industrial additives. Databases from organizations like EWG or CSPI may list products with additives. The official FDA website is also a source for more information.

Food Additive Status List from the FDA

Frequently Asked Questions

EDTA is added to carbonated soft drinks to protect the drink's flavor and color by preventing metal-catalyzed oxidation. In sodas containing both ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate, it is crucial for preventing the formation of carcinogenic benzene.

Yes, EDTA is often used in bottled teas and fruit juices. It helps improve shelf life and preserve clarity by preventing the degradation of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and inhibiting oxidation.

Yes, some alcoholic beverages contain EDTA. In beer, it is used as an anti-gushing agent to minimize foaming upon opening. In distilled spirits like whiskey and vodka, it functions as a clarifying agent.

Yes, food-grade EDTA, such as calcium disodium EDTA, is considered safe for human consumption at the low levels found in beverages. The FDA classifies it as "Generally Recognized as Safe" (GRAS).

EDTA extends shelf life by acting as a chelating agent, binding to and neutralizing trace metal ions that can catalyze oxidation. This prevents spoilage, rancidity, and the breakdown of colors and flavors.

Food-grade EDTA is ingested in low concentrations within processed foods and beverages and is poorly absorbed by the body. Medical-grade EDTA is administered intravenously under a doctor's supervision for chelation therapy to treat heavy metal poisoning and is much more potent.

To avoid beverages with EDTA, check the ingredient list for "Calcium Disodium EDTA" or similar names. Opt for fresh, unprocessed drinks like freshly squeezed juice or homemade iced tea, as these typically do not contain added preservatives.