The Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) has ordered the immediate suspension of imports and sales of the popular soft drink Dr Pepper in the country, after detecting unsafe levels of benzoic acid in the product.

According to the MFDA, the alert was first raised through the European Union’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), which notified the agency of consignments of the US-manufactured beverage reaching the Maldives. The authority has since directed businesses to pull the drink from shelves and ensure its destruction.

Benzoic acid is commonly used in food and beverages as a preservative to prevent the growth of harmful microorganisms. However, the MFDA warned that high concentrations can lead to the formation of benzene, a compound linked to cancer risks.