# Am I endangering my health by drinking Pepsi One?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-endangering-my-health-by-drinking-pepsi-one/682575>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [March 1, 2014, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-endangering-my-health-by-drinking-pepsi-one/682575 "2014-03-01T03:28:51Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![gracefulfatsheba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a3d4f5/32.png) [@gracefulfatsheba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gracefulfatsheba)\
**Post date:** [March 1, 2014, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-endangering-my-health-by-drinking-pepsi-one/682575/1 "2014-03-01T03:28:51Z")

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So, I’ve just read a lot of really scary articles suggesting I’m exposing myself to high levels of a carcinogen named 4-MeI by drinking Pepsi One. But I’ve also read that this chemical is linked to reducing (?!) cancer in mice. There seems to be a lot of contradictory information. Here is a typical article: [http://www.cbsnews.com/news/caramel-coloring-chemical-linked-to-cancer-found-in-too-high-levels-in-some-colas/](http://www.cbsnews.com/news/caramel-coloring-chemical-linked-to-cancer-found-in-too-high-levels-in-some-colas/)

I’ve been a big drinker of this soda since my teens. I drink at least a few cans a day. What are the chances that I am putting myself at risk of cancer by drinking this?

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**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\
**Post date:** [March 1, 2014, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-endangering-my-health-by-drinking-pepsi-one/682575/2 "2014-03-01T04:59:25Z")

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They’re still assessing the risk, according to the State of California.

[http://oehha.ca.gov/public\_info/facts/4MEIfacts\_021012.html](http://oehha.ca.gov/public_info/facts/4MEIfacts_021012.html)

But… considering that caramel coloring has been made and used for a LONG time in soft drinks, I personally think that if there was a noticeable cancer risk from them due to 4-MEI, then it would probably have come to light by now, considering the sheer volume they’re consumed in, and the huge number of people who consume them.