• March 6, 2012

The Center for Science in the Public Interest reports that its tests of some samples of Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Pepsi and Diet Pepsishow levels of 4-MI, a known animal carcinogen, above those allowed by federal law.

4-MI (4-methylimidazlole) is an ammonia sulfite found in some types of caramel coloring used in some beverages and foods.

For food additives, the FDA tolerates a lifetime risk of one cancer in one million people, according to CSPI, which reports that even the relatively low 4-MI levels found in three of four Dr Pepper and Diet Dr Pepper samples (10 micrograms per 12 ounces) exceed the FDA's standards by seven times (a risk of cancer of seven in one million people).

The Pepsi products tested showed 4-MI levels of 145 to 153 micrograms per 12-ounce cans, and the Coke sodas tested had levels of 142 and 146 micrograms per 12 ounces, CSPI said.  

California state has established its own 4-MI limit: 29 micrograms per serving, the nonprofit nutrition advocate reports.

PepsiCo told CSPI that for products sold in California, it has switched to a coloring containing much lower levels of 4-MI, and that it plans to do the same across the country.

CSPI petitioned the FDA to ban ammonia-sulfite caramel coloring in February 2011, and has now reiterated that petition.