Cans of Sprite, Diet Coke and Coca-Cola are offered for sale at a grocery store on April 17, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. The Coca-Cola Co. reported an 8 percent increase in net income for the first quarter of 2012 with global volume growth of 5%. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
The report indicates that the chemical carcinogen 4-methylimidizole, known as 4-MI or 4-MEI, was identified at an alarming rate in the drink sold in many countries around the world. This carcinogen substance is formed in the product “caramel coloring”, with amoniac base, which is industrially used by Coca-Cola.
High levels of this substance have been warned previously by CSPI, after which in California the company has lowered to four micrograms of 4-MI per 355 milligrams of the refrigerant, as revealed by the CSPI’s test.
The level of the substance detected in the product sold in Brazil reaches 267 micrograms of 4-MI per 355 milliliters, far more than the nearly 3 micrograms allowed. The test also showed high levels in Kenya (177), Mexico (147), Canada (160), United Arab Emirates (155), England (145) and Washington (144). Lower levels were observed in Japan and China, with 72 and 56 micrograms of 4-MI, respectively.
The chemical reaction between sugar and ammonia produce the 4-MI, a substance that causes cancer in the lung, liver, thyroid and leukemia, according to experiments conducted by the U.S. Government, says the CSPI.
A leading manufacturer of caramel coloring that offers a totally free dye of 4-MI reports that, your product is four times more expensive, beverage companies are not buying, the report says.
“Now that we know we can almost completely eliminate this carcinogen in glue, there is no excuse for Coca-Cola and other companies not to do it all over the world,” concludes the report of the CSPI.
