After a public petition to ban azodicarbonamide, a chemical also found in yoga mats and shoe rubber, Subway has officially agreed to remove the toxin from their sandwich breads. This substance has been banned across the globe, but it’s still allowed in the U.S. and found in almost every fast food chain baked goods including Starbucks, McDonalds, Dunkin Donuts, and Wendy’s.
Azodicarbonamide is known to induce asthma, other respiratory symptoms, and skin sensitization in exposed workers and consumers. It is intended as a dough conditioner, but when baked can create the known carcinogen urethane.
Subway taking action is a step in the right direction, and ABC News reports NY Senator Chuck Schumer plans to take it a step further as he pushes the Food and Drug Administration to ban the chemical altogether.
Lesson learned? Take the time to read labels and look into what’s really in your foods, even when you think you’re “eating fresh”.
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