California Environmental Rules Reduce Supply of Kosher For Passover Coke

The San Gabriel Valley Tribune reported last week that new California environmental regulations that went into effect this year have had the effect of cutting off much of the supply of Kosher for Passover Coca Cola in California. At issue is a chemical used in caramel coloring for beverages-- 4-Methylimidazole. The new California regulations require that warning labels be placed on food and beverages that contain more that a prescribed level of the chemical because, according to California, it has been known to cause cancer.  So Coke's supplier in California has a new alternative-process caramel with less of the chemical in it (background), but the formula used by manufacturer does not meet requirements for Passover food. Coke plans to have the problem solved by next year. Meanwhile some California stores have acquired Kosher for Passover Code from other states.