Coke and Pepsi ingredient linked to cancer

The ingredient responsible for giving Coke and Pepsi their signature dark brown color may be a carcinogen, reports the Daily Mail.

"The caramel coloring used in Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and other foods is contaminated with two cancer-causing chemicals and should be banned," says a statement from American health lobby group the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

According to the CSPI report, the caramel coloring used in the cola is made by sugars reacting to ammonia and sulfites when placed under high pressure and temperature, which also creates two byproduct substances, 2-MI and 4-MI, thought to cause cancer.

CSPI is now petitioning America’s Food and Drug Administration to do something about the use of these additives.

"Carcinogenic colorings have no place in the food supply, especially considering that their only function is a cosmetic one," said CSPI executive director Michael F Jacobson.

Earlier today (February 17), a Coca-Cola spokesperson denied these claims. "Our beverages are completely safe. CSPI’s statement irresponsibly insinuates that the caramel used in our beverages is unsafe and maliciously raises cancer concerns among consumers," he said. "Studies show that the caramel we use does not cause cancer."