The caramel coloring used in Pepsi still contains a significant amount of a carcinogen, even after the drink maker said it would change its formula, an environmental group said Wednesday according to a report.
The caramel color that Coke and Pepsi used to give colas that distinctive brown hue contained a chemical, 4-methylimidazole - 4-MEI - that is listed as a carcinogen in the state of California.
PepsiCo Inc. and Coca-Cola Co. both said they would change their formulas nationally after California passed a law mandating drinks containing a certain level of carcinogens come with a cancer warning label, according to the Associated Press. This took place in March, however, the changes were only applied to the drinks sold in California.
A new analysis by the Center for Environmental Health showed that 10 of 10 samples of Pepsi products purchased nationwide during the month of June (in locations outside California) contained levels of 4-MEI that were about four to eight times higher than the safety thresholds set by California. The testing was conducted by Eurofins Analytical laboratory in Metairie, La.
In contrast, nine of the 10 samples of Coke products purchased in locations outside California contained little or no trace of 4-MEI.
"We applaud Coke," wrote Michael Green, executive director of the Center for Environmental Health, in a release announcing the findings.
"Pepsi's delay is inexplicable," Green added. "We urge the company to take swift action."
Pepsi responded by saying its caramel coloring suppliers have been working on the lengthy feat of modifying the manufacturing process to reduce the amount of 4-MEI (4-Methylimidazole) in its soda nationwide, according to the Associated Press report.
"The rest of the U.S. will be completed by February 2014," PepsiCo Senior Director Aurora Gonzalez told CEH. "In fact, we'll be starting the process and shipping concentrate end of this year."
