The Hidden Cancer Threat in Soda

[koalabear]

A contaminant found in two common soda brands could be causing 15,000 cases of cancer in people a year, a new analysis finds

High levels of a carcinogen known as 4-methylimidazole, or 4-MI, are created when certain forms of ammonia are used to create the caramel food dye used in some of the most popular soda brands on the planet. Although CSPI is lobbying the Food and Drug Administration to change label requirements, for now, it's perfectly legal for soda to harbor hidden carcinogens without any disclosure on the label.

Testing detected concerning levels of 4-MI contamination in both diet and regular versions of Coke and Pepsi. While soda makers aren't intentionally injecting the carcinogen into the drinks, 4-MI forms when ammonia or an ammonia-sulfite combination is used to manufacture caramel coloring. "Coke and Pepsi, with the acquiescence of the FDA, are needlessly exposing millions of Americans to a chemical that causes cancer," says Michael F. Jacobson, executive director of CSPI.

http://health.msn.com/health-topics/cancer/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100287545

 

[mark_j]

A contaminant found in two common soda brands could be causing 15,000 cases of cancer in people a year, a new analysis finds

High levels of a carcinogen known as 4-methylimidazole, or 4-MI, are created when certain forms of ammonia are used to create the caramel food dye used in some of the most popular soda brands on the planet. Although CSPI is lobbying the Food and Drug Administration to change label requirements, for now, it's perfectly legal for soda to harbor hidden carcinogens without any disclosure on the label.


http://health.msn.com/health-topics/cancer/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100287545

Is this going to be one of those things like the saccharin scare of a while back? You know the one where they determined that it would take ingesting up to 800 cans of diet pop a day to get enough of the chemical to actually cause cancer..

 

[miles]

They can take away our rights....our privacy...our income...but God help the FDA if they try taking Cocoler off the market.

 

[koalabear]

Is this going to be one of those things like the saccharin scare of a while back? You know the one where they determined that it would take ingesting up to 800 cans of diet pop a day to get enough of the chemical to actually cause cancer..

I'm not sure, up your intake to 800 cans a day and you will be the first to know.