India Government Bans use of potassium bromate as a food additive

India Government Bans use of potassium bromate as a food additive

Government of India has banned use of potassium bromate as a food additive

"FSSAI has banned potassium bromate. A notification has been issued in this regard. As far as potassium iodate is concerned, it has been referred to a scientific panel," FSSAI CEO Pawan Kumar Agarwal told PTI.

CSE study found its uses in Bread Industry and Potassium Bromate can cause the Cancer.

The CSE study had found that 84 per cent of 38 commonly available brands of pre-packaged breads, including pav and buns, tested positive for potassium bromate and potassium iodate. These two food additives are banned in many countries and listed as "hazardous" for public health.

According to CSE, potassium bromate typically increases dough strength, leads to higher rising and uniform finish to baked products while potassium iodate is a flour treatment agent.

Centre of Science and Environment conducted a study and stated that most samples of bread in Delhi contained Potassium Bromate, a substance that is a known carcinogen.

CSE has also sought a ban on potassium iodate, another chemical used as a flour treatment agent in making bread.
The CSE study has said that the use of potassium iodate in bread can lead to excess iodine intake which could be linked to certain thyroid-related diseases

According to the latest study done by Center for Science and Environment (CSE), this additive was found in breads, pizzas, ready-to-eat pizza bread as well as burger buns in Delhi. The only bakery they tested that did not use Potassium Bromate was Defence Bakery.

A 1982 research from Japan showed that it causes cancer in the bodies of rats and mice.

Potassium Bromate has been banned in the European Union, Brazil and Canada.

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Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Tags – Bread Pav Use potassium bromate Banned food additive