A new study warns people that  drink one or more cans of soft drinks a day are exposing themselves to a potential carcinogen.

The ingredient called 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI) is a possible human carcinogen. It's formed during the manufacture of some kinds of caramel color. Caramel color is a common ingredient in colas and other dark soft drinks.

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Johns Hopkins University's researcher found the estimate by checking how many Americans drink these sodas and how many kinds of carcinogens are present in the soft drinks.

"Soft drink consumers are being exposed to an avoidable and unnecessary cancer risk from an ingredient that is being added to these beverages simply for aesthetic purposes," said Keeve Nachman, senior author of the study.

The study collected data from previous study of the Consumer Reports. The report analyzed concentrations of 4-MEI in about 100 of the soft drink samples available in United States and how much population of America is consuming these beverages. The data for the later value were collected from the National Health and Examination Survey (NHANES).

Scientists found that about 44 percent kids and 58 percent adults have one can of soda every day. While there is currently no federal limit for 4-MEI in food or beverages, Consumer Reports petitioned the Food and Drug Administration last year to set limits for the potential carcinogen.

"This new analysis underscores our belief that people consume significant amounts of soda that unnecessarily elevate their risk of cancer over the course of a lifetime," said Urvashi Rangan, executive director for Consumer Reports' Food Safety and Sustainability Center.

The study appeared online in the journal, PLOS One.

Tagsfood coloring, soft drinks, soda, cancer risk, Cancer, 4-MEI, caramel color, colas, carcinogens