The nation was hit with another food scare after reports from the Center for Science and Environment (CSE) about presence of potassium bromate and potassium iodate in a number of bread samples were released into the media. Residues of these chemicals were found in the range of 1.15 to 22.54 ppm in sandwich bread, pav, bun and white breads. According to the CSE reports, about 84 percent of the 38 common brands of bread tested positive for these chemicals. Though permitted by FSSAI, these chemicals are banned in many countries. Potassium bromate is, in fact, termed as a possible carcinogen by the World Health Organisation.
According to the Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, under regulation 3.1.17 in the category ‘Other substances to be used in Specified limits,’ both potassium bromate and potassium iodate per permitted to be used in bread and flour. The maximum level of use is 50ppm (parts per million) in bread while potassium bromate in flour for bakery can be used up to 20ppm. Both the chemicals are also mentioned in Appendix A which lists those additives that are permitted for use. However, after these findings, the CSE has asked the FSSAI to ban the use of these additives. FSSAI responded by saying that they need to examine the evidence against the use of potassium iodate before restricting its use.
The relief came with an announcement by the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC) stating that bread in Kolkata has passed the fitness test, after the laboratories having examined samples from different bakeries across the city. “The samples were tested to have potassium iodate and potassium bromate much below the permissible limit. High dose of these two chemicals present in bread are primarily responsible for making it unfit for human consumption,” a KMC official said. The official stated that the samples sent to the union health ministry approved laboratory have successfully passed the food safety test.
From the CSE reports, released earlier, it was revealed that out of the various bakery products tested, only the breads from Defense Bakery had no residues of these additives. Perfect Bread was the only manufacturer that declared the use of potassium bromate on their label. KFC, Pizza Hut, Domino’s, Subway, and McDonald’sknown for their pizzas and burgers had these residues in their products.McDonald’s India claimed that they do not use potassium bromate or potassium iodate in flour or other ingredients that goes into their buns and even called the CSE claims unjustified. Britannia Industries also denied use of these chemicals and so have Pizza Hut, Green House, Subway and Hardcastle Restaurants.