A major new study will be conducted by the US Food and Drug Administration into the caramel colouring used in soft drink and food items, after an examination of beverages including Pepsi One and Malta Goya raised concerns.
A study by Consumer Reports found varying levels of 4-methylimidazole – an impurity formed in some caramel colouring at low levels during the manufacturing process – in 12 brands of soft drinks from five manufacturers, The Advertiser reports.
While the FDA said it’s previously performed studies to confirm the safety of the use of caramel as a flavour and colour additive and has no reason to believe otherwise, it is reviewing new data on the safety of 4-methylimidazole, but didn’t elaborate on what the data is.
The Consumer Reports study urged the FDA to set a maximum usage limit for 4-methylimidazole when it’s added to foods or soft drinks, as well as requesting it be labelled and the banning of a "natural" label if products contain caramel colours.
Though studies have not been conclusive about whether 4-methylimidazole is a carcinogen, California includes it on the state list of carcinogens and a state law mandates a cancer warning label on products that have a certain level of the substance, which can form in trace amounts when coffee beans are roasted or some meats are grilled.
Over eight months, the study found that single servings of two products, beverages Pepsi One Malta Goya, exceeded the 29 micrograms threshold of 4-methylimidazole in California, but carried no warning. Consumer Reports has asked the California attorney general's office to investigate.
PepsiCo has said the company is "extremely concerned" about the study and believes it is factually incorrect.
Other tested beverages include Sprite, Diet Coke, Coca-Cola, Coke Zero, Dr Pepper, Dr. Snap, Brisk Iced Tea, A&W Root Beer, Pepsi and Diet Pepsi.