STATEMENT BY 

David B. Schmidt
President & CEO International Food Information Council in response to current attention regarding 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI or 4-MI).

“It is a shame that with so many important issues facing consumers, they could be so misled about safe products that have been consumed for decades.  Numerous rodent studies conducted in the U.S. and across the globe confirm that 4-MEI is not a major health concern for humans unless they consume 1000 of the beverages tested per day.  Consumers are smarter than mice and likely won't follow this latest Pied Piper purporting risk way out of context.”

The International Food Information Council Foundation has available the following resources on 4-MEI.

Questions and Answers about 4-MEI

In addition, please contact us for a list of experts who are available to talk about 4-MEI in food.

Additional resources on food safety are available on our website at www.foodinsight.org.