On Jan 13, 10:23 pm, "Lum" > wrote:
> "jim" > wrote in message
>
> ...
>
>
>
> > On Jan 13, 12:27 pm, Ben > wrote:
> >> jim wrote:
>
> >> <snip>
>
> >> > Is sodium benzoate 'health risk free' and easy to get hold of? I
> >> > never saw this in my Wine makers store here in the UK but that sounds
> >> > like an awesome option. I don't know why but I presumed that was a
> >> > chemical you'd find it hard to find for domestic use.
>
> >> > Jim
>
> >> No it is not risk free, it has been linked to problems in the UK and the
> >> US with carbonated drinks, under certain conditions it can result in the
> >> production of Benzine (highly carcinogenic),it reacts with ascorbic acid
> >> (vitamin C) over time, so anything that is kept for any length of time
> >> or at high temperature is lightly to pose a risk.
> >> I personally would not use it at all.
> >> Ben.
>
> >> NB
> >> see:http://www.beveragedaily.com/news/ng...ks-fda-benzene
> >> for some more info.
>
> > Ahhh yes that rings some bells actually. Perhaps that is why I'd
> > assumed it was only available to industry here in the UK. I believe
> > Ribena started using it too which makes the stuff unusable for home
> > brewers, shame.
>
> > Luckily I prefer my wines dry or strong so I don't need to use sorbate
> > by and large, but perhaps it is still the best option available to me
> > if I need a stabiliser. Thanks for the heads up Ben, much
> > appreciated.
>
> > Jim
>
> Jim,
> Have you considered using Actistab to stabilize your sweet wines? More info
> here http://www.newworldwinemaker.com/pro...tent.asp?id=28

Hi Lum,

no I hadn't, thanks for the tip-off. I googled sites in the UK
mentioning Actistab though. Guess how many I found. It starts witha
0 and ends with a 0. Hmm. If I make some sweet normal alcohol wines
I might have to import some

Thanks again for the information.

Jim