Cancer Warning Labels on Soda for California in 2012

California is requiring that a cancer warning label be placed on brown colored sodas that contain caramel coloring because toxicology reports, in 2003 and 2005 from The National Institute of Health‘s National Toxicology Program, suggest that ingredients contained in caramel coloring are linked to cancer. It is believed that the caramel color contains two cancer causing ingredients, 2-methylimidazole (2-MEI) and 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI). I’m a label reader and have never seen 2 or 4-MEI listed on the label of any bottle of brown colored soda. If you are interested in reading USA reporter Elizabeth Weise’s story, here’s the link, http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2011-02-21-colacolor21_ST_N.htm.  I guess caramel coloring is a more friendly sounding term than each of the chemical components in question that sound like they  may be something that actually might cause cancer. 
Just to be fair…The American Beverage Association denies the caramel color/cancer connection. However, if it is true, I wonder how much money they lose if they stop production NOW!?
Here’s the stuff that got me when I went to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caramel_color, “caramel color is made by a carefully controlled heat treatment of carbohydrates, generally in the presence of acids, alkalis, or salts, in a process called caramelization. It is fully oxidized has an odor of burnt sugar and a somewhat bitter taste. Its color ranges from pale yellow to amber to dark brown .”  In my readings, I recall, oxidation and burnt foods have been linked to the aging process and cancer.
It’s not just the caramel color and cancer link you should be worrying about when you drink soda. Awhile back I wrote about the risks of drinking soda, http://valeriegoldstein.wordpress.com/page/4/, and listed a few reasons why you should trade in soda for healthier beverages, such as tea, tomato juice or V-8,  homemade lemonade, Greens+(http://greensplus.com/index.php)…
Other foods that contain caramel color are: beer and liqeour, brown bread and custard, doughnuts, cookies, fruit preserves and I guess you’ll have to start checking the ingredient section on the label to see just how many products contain caramel coloring.
Bottom line just like anything else, you need to be the judge and make the right choice for you. Would love to hear your thought, please let me know which side you are on.