FDA to review data on possible carcinogens in Coke, Pepsi

The FDA is reportedly planning to assess data on possible presence of chemical 4-MeI, a carcinogenic byproduct, produced at the time of manufacturing of caramel colored soda, after a Consumer Reports test indicated higher levels of carcinogen in sodas selling across the U.S.

Consumer Reports and Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future joined hands to test samples of soda brands for 4-MeI levels in California and New York twice last year.

A California measure was used to test brands like Pepsi, Coca-Cola, and Malta Goya, out of which, Malta Goya reported ten times more carcinogen than the accepted amount, reaching up to 300 micrograms, Verge reported.

Meanwhile, FDA continues to maintain that there is no reason to believe the compound is unsafe. However, it did say that it will look into the matter.

In 2007, the National Toxicology Program, a branch of the US Department of Health and Human Services had said that the 4-MeI substance that caused cancer in mice could be "possibly carcinogenic" to humans.