Soda can cause heart disease, obesity and other health issues. Now, though, it turns out that there may be another reason not to imbibe these sugary beverages. Consumer Reports has stated that its tests show that consumers are unnecessarily exposed to potential cancer risk in many sodas, according to The Palm Beach Post.
The chemical 4-methylimidazole, or 4-Mel, is what has Consumer Reports worried. This ingredient is labeled as "caramel coloring" on most packages, and may possibly cause cancer, according to the World Health Organization. That's why only 29 micrograms of exposure for the average consumer per day is permitted.
Yet it seems as if these limits aren't being followed. According to CNN, Consumer Reports found that a 12-ounce serving of Pepsi One or Malta Goya actually exceeded levels permitted without a warning level. In addition, ten other brands failed to meet California's standards.
It's perhaps not surprising that there's yet another reason not to drink soda. In the past, researchers have found that drinking more than one soft drink a day--whether regular or diet--may be associated with an increase in the risk factors for heart disease. In addition, those who drink one or more soft drinks a day have a 31 percent greater risk of developing new-onset obesity and a 25 percent increased risk of developing high blood triglycerides or high fasting blood glucose.
That said, the FDA currently has no reason to believe that 4-Mel poses a health risk to consumers at the levels found in foods with caramel coloring, according to agency spokeswoman Juli Putnam in an email with CNN. Currently, the agency is testing food and beverages with the chemical and reviewing safety data to be sure.
Even with this review, though, Consumer Reports is concerned. "We are concerned about both the levels of 4-Mel we found in many of the soft drinks tested and the variations observed among brands, especially given the widespread consumption of these types of beverages," said Urvashi Rangan, a Consumer Reports toxicologist, in a statement. "There is no reason why consumers need to be exposed to this avoidable and unnecessary risk that can stem from coloring food and beverages brown."
Consumers Union, the policy and action arm of Consumer Reports, has now filed a petition with the FDA asking that it require labeling of specific caramel colors so consumers can make informed choices, according to The Palm Beach Post.
