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Center for Science in the Public Interest launches another attack -- this time against caramel coloring

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If you’re not alarmed by caramel colorings, you soon might be. A consumer group has urged the FDA to ban some of them. One guess as to which group. Yes, the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

“The “caramel coloring” used in Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and other foods is contaminated with two cancer-causing chemicals and should be banned,” the organization announced. Its news release helpfully links to the petition it filed with the FDA.

The American Beverage Assn. is, unsurprisingly, not amused. Playing its part in what’s seeming a familiar back-and-forth, it called the allegation a “tall tale.” The response began: “It’s getting ridiculous out there. Today, yet another outrageous and egregious attempt to dupe and scare the public was made, this time by an activist group called CSPI.”

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You may recall CSPI’s previous attacks on such things as movie popcorn and Happy Meals. We’re not sure how much traction this one will get, however. The effect of excess calories is pretty clear. The science on any potential downside to caramel coloring is … less than clear.

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