Is There Formaldehyde in Maraschino Cherries?

Maraschino cherries manufactured in the United States do not contain formaldehyde. A national magazine writer confused formaldehyde for benzaldehyde, an extract used to make maraschino cherries. While formaldehyde naturally occurs in some fruits and vegetables, cherries are not on that list.

While formaldehyde is not used in the manufacturing process for maraschino cherries, it may exist, in trace amounts, if the cherries were treated with any fumigants or fertilizers containing formaldehyde during the growing process. Depending on the manufacturer, additives used in the production of maraschino cherries include food coloring, high fructose corn syrup, food coloring, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate and sulfites.