Bread makers to stop using controversial chemicals

Facing allegation about presence of carcinogenic chemicals in their products, a bread manufacturers’ body on Thursday said they will stop using controversial potassium bromate and potassium iodate as additives from Thursday night.

The All India Bread Manufacturers Association, which represents over 90 organised bread manufacturers such as Harvest Gold and Britannia, has, however, asked food safety regulator (FSSAI) to verify the findings of the CSE report that claimed most of the breads sold in the National Capital contained cancer-causing chemicals.

“FSSAI has already said that use of potassium bromate as an additive will be stopped and a notification will be issued within 6-7 days. Hence, we have decided to stop using potassium bromate and potassium iodate voluntarily,” All India Bread Manufacturers Association president Ramesh Mago told reporters here. He, however, said proper scientific study must be done on the issue. “We would go to FSSAI and ask them to verify the claims by CSE,” Mago said. When asked as how much time the industry would take to implement it, he said: “It would come in effect immediately. It would not be used in the fresh production from tonight (Thursday).”