Caramel food coloring and your health

Information on a commonly used food coloring has come under the scrutiny of the microscope.  The heated discussion focuses on 4-mei, the ingredient that gives caramel color to soft drinks such as coke and pepsi.

Actually, the controversy is not new, this stuff has been in use for years and questions have been raised in the past regarding its safety . What's disconcerting is the fact that the chemical has been linked to cancer in mice according to a 2008 study. This is recent.  What's happened to the information and results from previous studies that have pointed out the danger of this chemical? Why has it been allowed to remain on the market?

According to one researcher, Michael Jacobson of CSPI, an occasional soda isn't hazardous.  However, like everything else, the more soda you drink, the more danger you face.

One doctor commenting on the study states that it would take 1,000 sodas to face the cancer dangers of the caramel food coloring.  Further, repeated drinking of sodas puts the individual at risk of other more immediate life endangering disease such as diabetes and high cholesterol.  According  to Dr. Lisa Ganjhi, of St. Luke's and Roosevelt Hospital, an individual would face toxicity from the high fructose corn syrup long before imbibing enough soda to get cancer from the food coloring.

Caveat emptor.  Consumers beware.