The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) says that
samples of Coca-Cola tested in nine countries reveal "alarming
amounts" of the chemical 4-methylimidazole that has been linked
to cancer in animals. According to Daily Mail, Californian
health officials list 4-methylimidazole (4-MI) as a potential
carcinogen. Daily Mail reports that 4-MI in Coca-Cola's caramel
coloring is a contaminant resulting from the industrial process
that creates the coloring. Chemical reactions between sugar and
ammonia result in the formation of 4-MI. After concerns were
raised about the levels of the chemical in Coca-Cola and Pepsi,
both companies announced in March that they had asked their
suppliers to change the levels of the chemical in the caramel
coloring for California as required by a California ballot
initiative to limit consumer exposure to toxic and potentially
carcinogenic chemicals. Reuters reports that Coca-Cola announced
that it would start with the new formula for its caramel
coloring in California and the