Subway sandwiches may taste like they contain old shoes, but the fast food restaurant chain says it's removing a controversial ingredient from its bread recipes that's also found in shoes.
The bleaching agent, a chemical called azodicarbonamide is also routinely found in the production of shoe soles, faux leather and yoga mats, reports Newsweek. "Azodicarbonamide is used to make bread whiter and to improve elasticity of the dough. The FDA permits azodicarbonamide as an additive in food. But azodicarbonamide has already been banned in Europe, and in Singapore, its use is reportedly punishable by up to 15 years imprisonment and a fine of $450,000."
The chain's announcement came within 24 hours of a petition started by Vani Hari, the blogger known as "Food Babe." Her petition collected more than 50,000 signatures in one day, and reports Newsweek, created "a deluge of outrage on Subway’s Facebook page," leading up to the company announcing that it was removing the chemical. Representatives for the chain claim that plans to remove azodicarbonamide were already underway prior to Hari's petition.
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According to the UK Health and Safety Executive list, azodicarbonamide can cause or make asthma worse, and it has also been linked to cancer (in mice), reports Newsweek. “We are already in the process of removing azodicarbonamide as part of our bread improvement efforts despite the fact that it is a USDA and FDA approved ingredient,” Subway said in a statement provided to Newsweek. “The complete conversion to have this product out of the bread will be done soon.”
Azodicarbonamid is also found in breads and buns from other fast food outfits including McDonald's, Wendy's and Burger King.
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Image: Earl – What I Saw 2.0
