Subway Removing Chemical Known As ‘Shoe Leather’ From Its Breads

Subway is removing a chemical from its bread after an online petition asked the sandwich chain to dump the bleaching agent known as “shoe leather,” which also used in rubber shoes and yoga mats.

The chain said on Wednesday that it is in the process of removing the chemical used as as a dough conditioner, but said the move was meant to improve recipes rather than a response to the petition.

The issue gained prominence thanks to FoodBabe, a food blogger who started the petition against the chemical agent called azodicarbonamide. The petition, which attracted more than 60,000 signatures, said “if Subway changes their Bread[sic], we know this could inspire other food companies across the US to finally eliminate this dangerous chemical once and for all.”

A representative for Subway said the chemical was actually on the way out before the petition even launched.

“The complete conversion to have this product out of the bread will be done soon,” Subway said in a statement that did not give further details.

Subway does not use the chemical, which is used to create shoe rubber, from its stores in Europe, Australia, and other parts of the world.

This is not the first time food companies have responded to public outrage over questionable ingredients. Last year PepsiCo said it would remove an ingredient linked to a flame retardant from its Gatorade drinks.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest, a food safety advocate group, has called or all locations to dump the “shoe leather” chemical.

“Considering that many breads don’t contain azodicarbonamide and that its use slightly increases exposure to a carcinogen, this is hardly a chemical that we need in our food supply,” a press release noted.

It is not entirely clear when Subway will dump the chemical entirely from its breads.