Subway, the sandwich chain with 41,000 locations, is now fighting to keep its slogan “eat fresh” by eliminating azodicarbonamide, a chemical that is commonly used for expanding air in shoe rubber and yoga mats, from their bread.
“The complete conversion to have this product out of the bread will be done soon,” Subway said in a statement.
Azodicarbonamide, which has been linked to asthma and skin allergies, was banned in Europe and Australia, so only the United States and Canadian Subway customers currently have the pleasure of ingesting it.
The driving force behind the change was Vani Hari, a food blogger for FoodBabes.com.
Hari started researching into the chain’s use of the additive in 2012 and posted a petition on the blog last week for Subway to remove it.
“I commend Subway for finally responding to me and now over 57,000 concerned citizens,” Hari told ABC news. “Their swift action is a testament to what power petitions and individuals who sign them can have. I’d like to note that current Subway sandwiches still have this ingredient, and urge everyone not to eat their sandwich bread until they have finally removed the chemical.”
This exposure comes a week after the chain pledged to join Michelle Obama’s Partnership for a Healthier America campaign.
The first lady boasted that Subway stands out from the other fast food options because of its healthiness.
Obama told The Washington Post, “You don’t have to argue with your kids about what they can and can’t have. You can let them loose, and no matter what they choose from the kid’s menu — you know it will be healthy.”
Maybe Subway will be fresher in the future, but as of now, the chemical will remain in the bread until “soon,” according to Subway.