Cancer in a can

In another bit of news that didn’t make front page headlines…the state of California recently added ammonia sulfite, or 4-MI, to its list of cancer-causing chemicals. 4-MI is a coloring additive commonly used in fizzy drinks. And California is now requiring on-can warnings if levels are over a certain threshold.

The coloring ingredient was added by California to its carcinogens list after a study showed the chemical is linked to cancer in mice and rats. However, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, a person would have to drink more than 1,000 cans of carbonated drinks a day to take in the same dose of the carcinogen that was given to the animals in the lab test.

It took less than that for our government to ban saccharin (which, deadly as it was, has now been proven to be safer than many of the artificial sweeteners currently on the market).

Of course, PepsiCo and Coca-Cola account for about 90% of all carbonated drink sales. And they have already declared they will modify the caramel coloring in their beverages to avoid any cancer warning labels.

Both companies have said their new recipes have less 4-MI and that the change has already been introduced in the state of California and will soon be rolled out across the U.S.

Again, why must it take a government decree for companies to remove what they already know may cause cancer? It’s truly a shame.

And, don’t forget–just because something is “less deadly” doesn’t make it good for you. Steer clear of all sodas. Your health will be better off for it.