Caramel Color in Soda May be a Cancer Risk for Consumers

A popular ingredient in soda may pose a cancer risk. Scientists have analyzed soda consumption data to characterize people's exposure to a potentially carcinogenic byproduct of some types of caramel color. It turns out that between 44 to 58 percent of people over the age of six have at least one can of soda per day, which potentially exposes them to 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI).

"Soft drink consumers are being exposed to an avoidable and unnecessary cancer risk from an ingredient that is being added to these beverages simply for aesthetic purposes," said Keeve Nachman, senior author of the new study, in a news release. "This unnecessary exposure poses a threat to public health and raises questions about the continued use of caramel coloring in soda."

4-MEI is a possibly carcinogenic substance that forms during the manufacture of some kinds of caramel color. In 2014, Consumer Reports found that 4-MEI was present in 11 different soft drinks. However, the study wasn't large enough to recommend one brand over another or draw conclusions about specific brands. That said, the results did indicate that levels of 4-MEI could vary substantially across brands.

"For example, for diet colas, certain samples had higher or more variable levels of the compound, while other samples had very low concentrations," said Tyler Smith, lead author of the study.

This latest study, though, underscores the fact that the public consumes significant amounts of soda. This, in turn, can unnecessarily elevate cancer risk over the course of a lifetime.

"We believe beverage makers and the government should take the steps needed to protect public health," said Urvashi Rangan, executive director for Consumer Reports' Food Safety and Sustainability Center. "California has already taken an important step by setting a threshold for prompting Prop 65 labeling based on daily 4-MEI exposure from a food or beverage, such as a soda. This study sought to answer a critical question: How much soda to American consumers drink on average?"

The findings are published in the journal PLOS One.

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