This news update on cancer causing ingredients is brought to you by the LA TImes.
An Orange County woman has filed suit against PepsiCo Inc., alleging that the food and beverage company failed to warn consumers that its diet soda, Pepsi One, contains a cancer causing ingredient.
Kelly Ree contends in the lawsuit that Pepsi One contains a dangerous level of 4-methylimidazole, or 4-MEI, which has been shown to cause cancer in laboratory mice. She said the company was required to warn consumers of the danger under California’s Proposition 65 but failed to do so.
Coca-Cola Co. and PepsiCo said they were altering how they made cola beverages to reduce the amount of 4-MEI and avoid the disclosure requirement.
But last month, Consumer Reports reported that its testing found that Pepsi One contained in excess of 29 micrograms of 4-MEI per serving.
In her lawsuit, Ree seeks unspecified monetary damages, plus an injunction requiring PepsiCo to either reduce the amount of the chemical in Pepsi One or include a warning on product labels.
For more information on this cancer causing ingredient, please visit the LA Times link above. Please contact Nexreg for our Prop 65 compliance services.