According to Fox news Subway has decided to remove a chemical from their bread that is found in yoga mats. The name of the chemical is Azodicarbonamide (ADC)). According to the blog Fooducate, this chemical helps bread to last longer than three to four days without molding. It also acts as a bleaching agent and add elasticity to the flour. Informing insight was shared in the Fooducate blog:
Europe and Australia ban the use of azodicarbonamide because it is a “respiratory sensitizer” that can cause asthmatic and other allergic reaction. In Singapore, the use of azodicarbonamide in food products can lead to a lengthy jail sentence.
And in In the US? Azodicarbonamide is considered GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) by the FDA. Despite being “safe” it can be added to flour only in tiny amounts – 45 parts per million!
While this chemical ingredient may come to a surprise to some nutrition advocates, many others have been aware of this chemical and are responsible for the victory of having it removed. One person in particular is Vani Hari. Her food blog titled Food Babe launch a petition to have this chemical removed. It was sign by over 67,ooo supporters.
This story was very newsworthy to me because it has relevance, impact, and ignite emotion to the customers of Subway. Subway has been an icon to American culture as a healthy option for lunch and dinner. Many has resisted the temptation of cheeseburgers, fries, and doughnuts for a more healthier (and sometimes less tastier) option in the form of a Subway sandwich.
In Subway’s defense data reveals they are not the only company that uses this chemical. According to the USDA this chemical is permissible in small amounts in all wheat bread. This is a food conditioner that may be added to any wheat product for added protein.
This story ignited in me curiosity about our food quality. Often we are advised to observe caloric value but this story made me want to research deeper into the molecular formula and that my friends secured a second look. Here is what some social media participants thought about this breaking news:
Shari Dunn@ SHARI ITBOM
What do you think about this story? Should this chemical be removed from all bread products? Share with me your thoughts?
A Second Look 
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