Pepsi ingredients questioned by environmental group

When shoppers peruse the shelves of a grocery store, they are likely to read the food labels on items they are considering purchasing. Ingredient lists and accurate descriptions of a product’s containers are a necessity, especially as more customers are keeping tabs on what goes into their bodies.

Drink manufacturers and producers must take the same amount of care with their custom labels as food companies. A failure to include certain ingredients on a label could prove costly, either from federal fines or legal fees should consumers fall ill.

That is exactly what PepsiCo is trying to avoid, as the organization has come under scrutiny recently for a carcinogen that is allegedly still being used in its products. According to a study from The Center for Environmental Health, the caramel coloring used in Pepsi still contains a high level of a dangerous carcinogen – 4-methylimidazole, or 4-Mel.

“Pepsi said its caramel coloring suppliers are changing their manufacturing process to cut the amount of 4-Mel in its caramel,” an Associated Press article explained. “That process is complete in California and will be finished in February 2014 in the rest of the country. Pepsi said it will also be taken out globally, but did not indicate a timeline.”

The Center for Environmental Health explained in its report that the chemical was not found in California products but its research did find levels of 4-Mel that are 4 to 8 times higher than California safety levels in all 10 Pepsi products purchased outside California.

Once companies understand the local and federal requirements, they can create custom labels that adhere to those regulations. Investing in a Primera LX900 color label printer can ensure the process runs smoothly.