Is Caramel Coloring Dangerous

FDA Looking into Safety of Caramel Coloring in Soft Drinks and Foods

Caramel coloring is used to turn sodas and some foods brown. There are different types of caramel coloring and some of them contain an impurity called 4-methylimidazole (4-MeI). In response to a study by Consumer Reports, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reexamining the safety of the ingredient.

California Carcinogen List

4-MeI is on California’s lists of carcinogens and state law requires that any food or drink that exposes consumers to more than 29 micrograms of the substance per day must bear a cancer warning label.

Consumer Reports tested 12 ounce bottles of Pepsi One and Malta Goya and found that they each contained more the 29 micrograms. A spokeswoman for PepsiCo argues that those who drink the products consume less than a full can per day.

FDA Studying 4-Mei

The FDA says it has already studied caramel coloring and found no health risk, but is now looking at new information on 4-Mei.