You might have heard or read something in the news today about a Consumer Reports study on caramel coloring. What you might not know is that leading public health organizations have reaffirmed that caramel coloring, including caramel coloring with small amounts of 4-MEI in it, is safe for use in colas and countless other foods.

In March 2011, following a comprehensive review of the scientific literature, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reaffirmed the safety of 4-MEI and stated that the presence of 4-MEI in caramel coloring is not a health concern.

And in November 2011, Health Canada said that 4-MEI, including that found in certain caramel coloring, does "not represent a risk" to consumers.

In fact, FDA has noted that there is no reason at all for any health concerns and that as a consumer you ‘would have to drink more than a thousand cans of soda in a day to match the doses administered in studies that showed links to cancer in rodents.’

So rest assured caramel color is not a threat to human health. And if you have any more remaining questions about your favorite soft drinks, just ask us – or check out letsclearitup.org.