According to CSE Study Chemical Additive in Bread Potassium Bromate is Carcinogenic

Chemical additive Potassium bromate (KbrO3) usually prevalent in bread and refined flour is carcinogenic according to the recent study of Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) which was tested by CSE՚s Pollution Monitoring Laboratory.

  • Ans during the study they found 84% of carcinogenic and thyroid triggering chemicals like Potassium Bromate and Potassium Iodate mixed in the samples.
  • These chemicals content are found in the sandwich breads and then in white bread, pavs, pizza bread and burger buns in the more than permissible limits.
  • So that national food regulator FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) has decided to remove potassium bromate from the list of permitted spices.

How and Why Potassium bromate is used?

  • Potassium bromate is bromate of potassium and made form the white crystals or powder.
  • It is used as chemical additive in food items.
  • For strengthens the baking process it is aided in to bread dough to raise it higher.
  • The KbrO3 powder blenches the bread dough and raises its bounciness by making tiny bubbles that help the bread rise.
  • In India, 50 parts per million (ppm) is the legal permissible limit to add Potassium bromate as chemical additive in food.
  • And its High dosages are harmful.
  • Evidence of Toxicity: Potassium bromate causes cancer was found in the study conducted in Japan in 1982. That՚s way many countries such as Japan, Australia, China and UK have banned it.
  • And according to some study potassium bromate is a “genotoxic carcinogen” i.e.. a chemical agent that can damage genetic information, causing mutations.

About FSSAI:

  • The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India՚s agency.
  • The main work of FSSAI is to protect and promoting public health through the regulation and supervision of food safety.
  • The FSSAI has been established under the consolidating statute related to food safety and regulation in India the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
  • The current Chairperson of FASSI is Mr. Ashish Bahuguna and the headquarter is located at New Delhi.
  • The agency has 8 regional offices located in Delhi, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Guwahati, Mumbai, Kolkata, Cochin and Chennai. 4 referral laboratories and 72 local laboratories located across the India.

Examrace Team at May 26, 2016