Q&A: Food fears | Food and drink | Life and Health:

“Stay away from certain foods. Sodium benzoate is widely used in soft drinks and artificial colourings are used in confectionery, drinks, ice creams and cakes, although some manufacturers and retailers have been trying to switch to natural ones. Additives should appear on the label by name or E number, but since many of these foods are sold loose, they are not always labelled”