Jessica [Private] Post Count: 1751 |
I saw this story in my student health news bulletin today, and did a little research to find out more. Apparently there is a big push to ban two types of caramel coloring used in popular soft drinks (IE - Coca Cola and Pepsi) because ingredients were shown to cause cancer in lab mice.
A major consumer group today called for a government ban on two types of caramel coloring used in colas, warning that the ingredients could cause cancer. The soft drink industry came out swinging, strongly objecting to the claim. "We're asking the FDA to ban the use of caramel coloring that's used in colas and certain other soft drinks and a variety of other foods," said Michael Jacobson, Executive Director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest. "The reason is that several years ago a government agency, the National Toxicology program tested a contaminant in the coloring and found that it caused cancer in mice and possibly rats." According to the CSPI, pure caramel is made by heating sugar, while the coloring found in cola like Pepsi and Coca-Cola is made by reacting sugars with ammonia. Jacobson said the chemicals the reaction produces have been proven by federal government tests to be carcinogens, a finding that the Coca-Cola Company vehemently disputes. "CSPI's statement irresponsibly insinuates that the caramel used in our beverages is unsafe and maliciously raises cancer concerns among consumers," the company said in a statement. "This does a disservice to the very public for which CSPI purports to serve. In fact studies show that the caramel we use does not cause cancer." Source/More Story - http://abcnews.go.com/Health/cspi-caramel-coloring-cola-cancer-soft-drink-industry/story?id=12932008 What are your thoughts on this? I for one have never been a fan of dark soda... but I'd like to know how those of you who DO drink dark soda feel about this. Is it going to make you stop drinking Coke/Pepsi? Or will you wait until the FDA actually bans the ingredients? |
*Forever Changing* Post Count: 847 |
The FDA approves a lot that probably shouldnt be. I LOVE Pepsi and coke, but now that I am pregnant (again) I have to go on my no caffeine kick again, which rules out dark sodas, and I am back to 7 up if I am needing a carbonation fix.
We all know soda is bad for us, so honestly, I highly doubt people will stop drinking it. My dad drinks a 24 pack of coke a day, if anyone is gonna die from cancer, I have no doubts it will be him. |
.love.struck. Post Count: 492 |
24 cans a day? That is terrible.
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Beautiful Lies Post Count: 402 |
You are not going to get cancer from Dr. Pepper or Cherry Coke. You'll be fine.
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Emily the Strange Post Count: 195 |
Glad I'm not a mouse. Haha
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kein mitleid Post Count: 592 |
Everything is correlated to cancer in mice. I think maybe mice are the source of cancer.
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Beautiful Lies Post Count: 402 |
Lab mice also showed signs of cancer when they tested them for the effects of aspartame (equal artificial sweetener) and we see that's a load of bullshit now too. Unless you're guzzling packets of equal sweetener by the truckload, you'll be fine.
I very rarely drink pop now anyways, because it's horrible for your health nutrient wise. Plus the caramel coloring is in much more than just dark colored pop. It's in beer, sauces (like soy sauce), gravies, baking products, it's in BREAD and CEREAL for Christ's sake. Should we all stop eating/drinking that stuff too? I'm pretty sure we'll all be fine. You should stop drinking soda because it's full of empty calories, carbs and sugar and it's just nutritionally not a healthy choice. Not because you think the 'dark colored stuff' will give you cancer. Soda just gives you diabetes. |
kein mitleid Post Count: 592 |
Fake soy sauce, that is, Meesa. That shit they serve across America is actually salty water (hydrolyzed vegetable protein), for the most part. The naturally brewed soy sauce doesn't need caramel color, the rich color comes during the fermentation process. Also, they have different shades of soy, based on the brewing.
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Beautiful Lies Post Count: 402 |
Heh, sorry I didn't clarify. I don't know anyone that uses GOOD soy sauce in America anyway. :)
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kein mitleid Post Count: 592 |
*cough* Asian *cough* represent *cough* stereotype
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Emily the Strange Post Count: 195 |
Ina Garten. Everything has to be "good".
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~Aiure Post Count: 118 |
Mindi, how the eff is your father not in a constant diabetic coma?!
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*Forever Changing* Post Count: 847 |
My dad is disgusting. My step mom drinks just as much, as does my brother, he is a 200 pound 10 year old. I am so ashamed of them. I have no idea how they are still alive.
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.love.struck. Post Count: 492 |
I like coke but the thought of drinking a whole 24 pack in a day makes me sick.
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& skull. Post Count: 1701 |
everything gives you bloody cancer. i know i shouldn't drink as much coke as i do anyway, but i'm going to worry about it giving diabetes before i worry about cancer.
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Estella Post Count: 1779 |
Yeah, most artificial colours and flavourings and sweeteners are linked to cancer anyway. I'm not sure how people could have been drinking soda and been oblivious to the idea that it contains carcinogens. Surely most people are aware that they are exposed to carcinogens every day, from all kinds of sources.
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