After cancer scare, 1 in 4 homes shuns bread

HIGHLIGHTS

• Even though the test done by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) was based on samples collected from Delhi, consumers in Kolkata have already pressed the panic button

• Though the CSE study claimed that about 84% of 38 commonly available breads tested positive, some experts pointed out the health impact of these chemicals could be negligible

Alarmed by reports of possible carcinogens in breads, one in every four household in the city shunned the loaf on Wednesday. Bakers and suppliers fear the demand could dip further as more consumers become aware of a study report that claims breads have harmful chemical additives.

Even though the test done by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) was based on samples collected from Delhi, consumers in Kolkata have already pressed the panic button. The two chemicals in question - potassium bromate and potassium iodate - are used by bakers in pre-packaged breads, buns and ready-to-eat pizza bases. These chemicals are believed to be carcinogenic.

But in India, Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) permits their use for baking. While the permissible limit for potassium bromate or potassium iodate for bread is 50 ppm, in maida for bakery purposes the limit is 20 ppm.

"We adhere to the permissible limit. In fact, bakers use these two chemicals in a much lesser quantity than what is permitted. The alarm caused by the CSE report has led to 25% slump in sales. We apprehend that it could affect bakers more," said Idris Ali, secretary Joint Action Committee of West Bengal Baker's Association. Alleging a conspiracy, Ali said that the association will counter the study reports through a press conference on Thursday.

KMC, too, swung into action on Wednesday with food inspectors collection samples from civic-run markets. The samples have been sent to the Central Food Laboratory on Kyd Street for tests.

Though the CSE study claimed that about 84% of 38 commonly available breads tested positive, some experts pointed out the health impact of these chemicals could be negligible. "You need to consume bread in a much larger quantity than we usually do in order to get affected. Unlike the West, bread is not a staple diet here. Chemicals like potassium bromate and iodate have to infiltrate the system over a long period and in considerably quantity to have a carcinogenic impact," said oncologist Gautam Mukhopadhyay. He welcomed the study, though.