Late last month, Consumer Reports released a study on the levels of a caramel coloring agent known as 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI) in many popular, carbonated beverages. The use of phrases such as “potential carcinogen” and “health risk” to describe the chemical and its levels caused the report to receive widespread interest from the media, including from national distributors Associated Press and National Public Radio. Amidst all of the coverage, though, was a lack of examination of the toxicological studies into 4-MEI—the Consumer Reports analysis was taken at face value by many media sources.
SOT 2013–2014 President Lois D. Lehman-McKeeman and SOT 2013–2014 Vice President Norbert E. Kaminski determined that this was a prime opportunity for the Society of Toxicology to help educate the media and public on what role toxicologists serve and how to examine toxicological science when it appears in studies like the one by Consumer Reports. With the assistance of the rest of the SOT Presidential Chain, a press release on the toxicology of 4-MEI was developed. These individuals include the 2013–2014 SOT Vice President and SOT Past President.
The press release outlines the key findings of a National Toxicology Program study on MEI-4 and features quotes by Dr. Lehman-McKeeman explaining their significance. The release was distributed last week by a media service, known as Newswise, to its list of reporters and media contacts; was posted to the SOT Website; and was featured on SOT’s Twitter and Facebook pages.
Moving forward, SOT leadership hopes to continue to address popular media topics from a toxicological perspective in a timely manner, and all SOT members are encouraged to alert Michelle Werts at SOT Headquarters if you see a need or opportunity for such action.