The Baltimore Sun, Lorraine Mirabella, July 3, 2013
 |
Pepsi
Carcinogen Still Found In Soda,
Watchdog Group Says
|
A health
watchdog group is releasing a study today that found high levels of a
cancer-causing chemical in Pepsi drinks in 10 states, including Maryland.
The Center
for Environmental Health commissioned Eurofins Analytical laboratory in
Louisiana to analyze Coke and Pepsi products that were purchased from 10
states.
The group
said Coca-Cola and PepsiCo had pledged to change their products’ caramel
coloring as a result of a California law that requires labeling of products
with cancer-causing ingredients. But CEH found that the Pepsi bought in
Maryland and nine other states, not including California, still contains high
levels of the chemical, 4-methylimidazole.
The testing
showed that Coke products have been reformulated. Earlier tests showed both
Coke and Pepsi products have been reformulated in California.
A
spokeswoman for PepsiCo released a statement in response to the CEH findings
that said the beverage maker's caramel coloring suppliers are modifying their
process to reduce the 4-MEI in the caramel.
"The
work has been done in California; the rest of the U.S. will be completed by
February 2014," the company’s statement said. "PepsiCo suppliers are
also undertaking this effort globally. There will be no change to our product
formula or to the great Pepsi taste consumers know and love."
The
statement also said: "The safety of our products is PepsiCo's top priority
and we abide by the regulatory guidelines everywhere we do business. The FDA
and other regulatory agencies around the world, including the European Food
Safety Authority and Health Canada, consider our caramel coloring safe for use
in foods and beverages."
CEH
applauded Coca-Cola's action but called Pepsi’s delay "inexplicable."
UPDATE:
After PepsiCo issued its response, a spokesman for CEH said the group will test
Pepsi products again in the spring.
In the
recent test, CEH asked 10 supporters from across the country to send Coke and
Pepsi products bought in their area, and the organization sent them to the lab.
Beverages included Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Diet Coke and other products.
The tests found little or no 4-Mel chemical in nine out of 10 Coke products.
Outside of California, the Pepsi drinks contained levels of the chemical that
ranged from four to more than eight times higher than allowed in Californa, the
group said.
Nearly half
of Americans drink soda every day, according to a 2012 Gallup poll, with the
average person drinking more than two glasses of soda a day.
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