hide captionSubway was quick to say it would phase out azodicarbonamide from its bread after a popular food blogger raised health concerns. Nature's Own soon noted that it had already removed the compound with the funny name from its bread products. But what's the evidence behind the claims?

Subway was quick to say it would phase out azodicarbonamide from its bread after a popular food blogger raised health concerns. Nature's Own soon noted that it had already removed the compound with the funny name from its bread products. But what's the evidence behind the claims?

That compound found in commercially baked bread yep, the one that's in yoga mats, too is in the news again.

A report from the Environmental Working Group finds that the compound, azodicarbonamide, is found in close to 500 food products, from Pillsbury Dinner Rolls to Little Debbie products to Wonder Bread.

As you may recall, the sandwich chain Subway got a lot of attention a few weeks back when announced its plans to remove this compound which is used to improve dough and maintain bread texture from its bread.

And as we reported, the kerfuffle came in response to an online petition posted posted by the creator of the Food Babe blog. The online petition pointed to a range of possible health concerns linked to the compound, everything from asthma to cancer.

But what is the evidence behind these claims?

Let's start with asthma and other respiratory issues. The concerns about breathing problems stem from factory workers who have been exposed to high levels of azodicarbonamide. But it turns out, outside of this occupational exposure, there's no evidence that there's any risk at all to consumers.

It's good to "remind yourself to be more skeptical," says Justin Pagano, who has written that he'd like to see more scientific inquiry and reasoning used in these what's-really-in-your-food campaigns.

He says there's a "generational zeitgeist" among his fellow millennials to "take back food" from the control of large companies and demand transparency.

Read more here:
Almost 500 Foods Contain The 'Yoga Mat' Compound. Should We Care?