The government of India last month on Monday banned use of potassium bromate as a food additive following a CSE study that found its presence in bread as causing cancer. The Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), however, has referred potassium iodate -- also claimed to be carcinogenic used as a food additive -- to a scientific panel.
Last month, the regulator had recommended to the health ministry removal of potassium bromate from the list of permissible food additives after a study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).
The CSE study had found that 84 per cent of 38 commonly available brands of pre-packaged breads, including pav and buns, tested positive for potassium bromate and potassium iodate. These two food additives are banned in many countries and listed as "hazardous" for public health.
According to CSE, potassium bromate typically increases dough strength, leads to higher rising and uniform finish to baked products while potassium iodate is a flour treatment agent.
But has the remote A&N Islands has complied with the GoI ban? Perhaps not, because the concerned authorities have not yet lifted any samples to find out if the banned cancer causing chemicals are also being used by the local bakeries.
However, the Director of Health Services has belatedly assured to take all necessary steps in this regard.
No comments:
Post a Comment