Bread manufacturers to voluntarily withdraw use of potassium bromate as food additive

NEW DELHI, MAY 26: 

The All India Bread Manufacturers' Association on Thursday said that it has decided to voluntarily withdraw the use of potassium bromate as an additive in breads.

This move comes after a report by the Centre for Science and Environment claimed that it had found carcinogenic chemicals, potassium bromate and potassium iodate, in samples of bread and bakery products in Delhi-NCR region.

Addressing media persons at a briefing, Adil Hassan, MD of Harvest Gold, and member of All India Bread Manufacturers' Association, said, “Potassium bromate and potassium iodate are considered safe and legal and also approved for widespread use by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India and even the USFDA. However, given that potassium bromate has become a controversial subject and causing confusion among consumers, we have decided to voluntary withdraw use of the additives in the products.”

Officials of the association said that they hope this voluntary withdrawal will get implemented in the next 2-3 days. FSSAI has already said that based on a recommendation of its scientific panel, it will soon notify the removal of potassium bromate and potassium iodate from its list of the additives.

Ramesh Mago, President, All India Bread Manufacturers' Association, said that the association will plan to help the unorganised players and small bakers to get access to the alternatives.

He said that there are alternatives in terms of enzymes and emulsifiers that are available that can be used to replace the chemicals and many organised players in the industry are already using it.

According to some industry players, the overall bread industry in the country has seen a decline of 20-30 per cent in sales, after the controversy broke over the use of potassium bromate and potassium iodate.

The association represents about 30 per cent of the organised players in the country. Industry estimates peg the industry size to be about Rs. 7,000 crore with 40-45 per cent of this being in the organised market.