Food and Drug Administration Clears Seven More Samples of Bread

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that none of the remaining seven bread samples were found positive for potassium bromate, a cancer-causing chemical.

Potassium bromate is used by commercial bread manufacturers as a flour treatment agent to give a blooming effect.

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‘New Delhi-based Center for Science and Environment reported that many brands of packaged bread and pizzas contain potassium bromate that can cause cancer.’

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The FDA collected 29 samples of various flour products to check the presence of potassium bromate, out of which four bread samples had tested positive to the chemical.

The department still has to analyze four samples, but they are of cake, and their report is expected in a day or two, said Salim Veljee, Director of FDA.

A report by the New Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said that the use of potassium bromate as a food additive can cause cancer.

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As an outcome of the report, food safety officers in Bambolim collected samples of 29 breads -local pao, sliced bread (brown and white), pizza bread, certain cakes and other bread variations like hotdog bread, buns to test.

The laboratory report of 18 samples was issued on May 31. The report of the remaining seven samples was released on June 2.

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Out of the 29 bread samples, potassium bromate was found in four bread samples - three sliced bread and one pizza bread.

Veljee said that bread samples investigated for potassium bromate included bread made by local as well as outside bakeries.

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A study by the CSE discovered the presence of potassium bromate in 38 samples of popular bread brands in New Delhi. The study also found the presence of potassium iodate, a thyroid inducer.

The permissible limit for potassium bromate is 50 parts per million as stipulated under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the Rules/Regulation. At present, there is no ban or prohibition on addition of potassium bromate in bread if it is within the permissible limit.

Veljee said that bread in Goa that had the presence of potassium bromate contained 25 parts per million, and the manufacturers had indicated or disclosed in the list of ingredients on the label that potassium bromate was added.'

Source-Medindia