Subway announced it will be removing the chemical azodicarbonamide from its bread recipe.
The decision was made after food activist Vani Hari started a petition which called for the end of the chemical's use, according to Discovery News.
Hari writes for FoodBabe.com and blogs by the name "Food Babe". Hari stated in her blog azodicarbonamide is also used in yoga mats and shoe rubber, while also being used as a dough conditioner, according to USA Today.
Hari decided to post the information about azodicardbonamide after Michelle Obama announced she was hosting a press conference at a Subway in Washington D.C. to promote the organization for joining her healthy eating initiative, according to ABC News.
"What really upset me was it was something I always ate while on the road that I thought was healthy- their nine-grain bread and veggie sub and all the marketing about low calories and weight loss," Hari said.
Hari's petition against the use of the chemical has gained over 67,000 signatures in order to gain Subway's attention and force a change in the methods of making their sandwich breads.
"When you look at the ingredients", Hari said, "if you can't spell it or pronounce it, you probably shouldn't eat it."
While azodicardbonamide is USDA and FDA approved, it is banned in Europe and Australia, according to ABC News. Studies were reported from the World Health Organization, which state the chemical may increase the risk of allergies, asthma, and respiratory issues.
Hari stated in an email her gratitude for Subway's decision to improve the methods in making their sandwich bread and congratulated those who signed the petition for showing the power that petitions have to make change, according to USA Today.
"I'd like to note that current Subway sandwiches still have this ingredient", Hari said, "and I urge everyone not to eat their sandwich bread until they have finally removed the chemical."
