Dark Sodas May Lead to Cancer

From Ring of Fire:

Consumer Reports conducted a study of the possible presence of carcinogens in popular sodas. The study concluded that some sodas contain extremely high levels of 4-methylimidazole (4-mel), which was determined as a potential carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in 2011.

Soda makers use 4-mel to give sodas their dark brown color, but instead of classifying the chemical as artificial coloring, the companies list 4-mel as “caramel coloring” on the can. California state law requires any food or beverage product with at least 29 micrograms of 4-mel to carry a health warning label. For the most part, 4-mel sodas sold in California stay within approved level of the chemical. But the amount of 4-mel in sodas sold in other states is staggering.

From April to September of 2013, Consumer Reports compared the amount of 4-mel in the same sodas sold in New York and California. One 12 oz. can of Pepsi One had the highest amount of 4-mel at 43.5 mcg in California, exceeding the state-approved level. However, a can of Pepsi One sold in New York contained 195.3 mcg of 4-mel. Similar trends continue in Pepsi’s line of sodas, and the difference in 4-mel levels reflects the differing state regulations.

You can read the full article here at Ring of Fire.