Subway is known for its healthy sandwiches that promotes fitness and nutrition. From celebrities, Olympic athletes or the case of Jerry, the company has relied on their promotion of healthy eating worldwide. Though Subway advises to "eat fresh," one blogger has pointed out a major flaw with the company's bread that is anything but fresh.
Food Babe blogger Vani Hari pointed out that Subway's bread carries azodicarbonamide, a chemical additive. The blogger called out Subway, demanding that the chemical be removed from the bread, since azodicarbonamide is also found in yoga mats, leather, shoe soles and other types of rubber.
Hari posted a petition on her blog titled, "Subway: Stop Using Dangerous Chemicals In Your Bread," which garnered over 50,000 signatures in 24 hours. Viewers of her blogging site see an infographic differentiating the bread ingredients used in the United States to other parts of the world. The azodicarbonamide chemical is not found in the bread Subway produces overseas, only in the United States.
"It's not supposed to be food or even eaten for that matter. And it's definitely not 'fresh,'" accused Hari on her blogging site. "Subway is using this ingredient as a bleaching agent and dough conditioner which allows them to produce bread faster and cheaper..."
The revelation of the rubber chemical not only brought shock from many, but also disgust. On Twitter, many users were appalled and the majority agreed to not eat Subway until the issue is officially resolved. Users expressed disdain:
@DMC_Ryan: "I don't eat Subway often, but I certainly have plenty of times in the past. I won't now until this is fully resolved"
@SelenaCoppock : "The bread at Subway is made with a chemical found in yoga mats. Yummy, delicious yoga mats."
@MelissaCarter: "#Subway removing chemical used in YOGA MATS from its bread. #WTF. Do national companies actually EAT their own food?"
@NavidSGVN: "Uggh can't believe I've been putting that into my body."
The attention from Hari's blog and the overwhelming negative response brought forth immediate action from Subway. Shortly after Hari's petition, Subway responded in an official statement saying they indeed will remove the chemical from its bread despite it not being a dangerous chemical. "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," read Subway's official statement.
Hari is relieved that the company, which has been endorsed by many athletes for its healthy promotion of eating, is taking immediate action. "They finally reached out to me and told me they're sorry for not getting back sooner and they're planning on removing that ingredient soon," said Hari. Though there is no official date when the chemical will be removed, process has indeed started and Subway customers can look forward to fresh subway sandwiches soon.
