Coca-Cola still contains high levels of chemical linked to cancer, says report

A watchdog group said that Coca-Cola sold in several countries still contains high levels of a chemical which has been linked to cancer and is used as a caramel colouring ingredient, only months after the company changed the recipe of the drink sold in California.

According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), new laboratory tests showed that Coca-Cola sold in nine countries still had high levels of 4-methylimidazole (4-MI or 4-MEI).

High levels of the compound have been linked to tumours in rodents, even though studies did not show a similar effect in humans.

In March 2012, Coca-Cola and Pepsi announced that they were lowering 4-MI levels in their soda by altering the manufacturing process of caramel colouring, in order to avoid a cancer warning label in compliance with a California law.

At that time, Coca-Cola said that it will lower 4-MI levels in drinks sold in California and gradually expand the formula change to other regions, but did not announce a specific time frame.

CSPI said that sample bottles from California that were tested in spring 2012 showed four micrograms (mcg) of 4-MI per 12 ounces. California currently requires companies to include a warning label if a food would lead to people consuming 30mcg or more of 4-MI per day.

However, samples tested in other countries showed higher 4-MI levels, with samples from Brazil containing 267mcg, Canada 160mcg, China 56mcg, Japan 72mcg, Kenya 177mcg, Mexico 147mcg, UAE 155mcg, UK 145mcg and even in the US, where the soft drink contained 145mcg in Washington DC.

Michael F Jacobson, CSPI executive director, said that consumers in countries such as China, Japan and Kenya drink much less soda than those in the US, so their exposure to this harmful chemical is relatively lower.

"But now that we know it’s possible to almost totally eliminate this carcinogen from colas, there’s no excuse for Coca-Cola and other companies not to do so worldwide, and not just in California," Jacobson added.

In February 2012, the CSPI filed a petition with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ban the use of the caramel colouring compound. The FDA is evaluating the petition, but said that there is no immediate or short-term danger to consumers from the additive.

Coca-Cola said in a company statement that it is still working on the logistics of implementing the formula change.

"We intend to expand the use of the modified caramel globally to allow us to streamline and simplify our supply chain, manufacturing, and distribution systems," the company said.

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Image: Latest laboratory tests revealed Coca-Cola samples from nine countries had high levels of 4-MI, a caramel colouring ingredient which has been linked to cancer. Photo courtesy of: The Coca Cola Company.