Sale of bread, bun hit

Bakeries in State do not resort to malpractices: BAKE

With debates raging on the high levels of carcinogenic substances in bread, bun and other baked products of top brands, the Bakers Association of Kerala (BAKE) held a seminar here on Wednesday on the impact of the issue on small-scale industry owners here. Officials of the Food Safety Commission took part in the seminar.

Dismissing the issue as an attempt to malign the name of corporate food chains, P.M. Shankaran, State president, BAKE, said the issue had badly hit the sales of bread and bun in bakeries in the State.

According to a report released by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), bread samples of virtually all top brands in Delhi tested positive for potassium bromate and potassium iodate, banned in many countries as they are listed as ‘hazardous’ to public health.

“There should be clarity on the issue as it has caused apprehensions in the mind of consumers in spite of bakeries in the State not resorting to such malpractices,” he added. Potassium bromate and iodate are usually used in bakeries to give baked products a fluffy texture. FSSAI has approved permissible use of these chemicals in all kinds of bread and bun.

“Potassium bromate or iodate cannot be banned as these are not considered fatal poisons. The presence of these in final products will be negligible if used according to the prescribed amounts,” said Gopakumar, Food Safety Research officer.

“It depends on the conscience of the marketers to use or not to use the substances in large amounts, viewing immediate profits,” he added. The members also raised questions on the safety of imported raw materials used in making breads and buns.

While assuring the owners of the quality of imported materials, K. Anil Kumar, Joint Commissioner, Food Safety, emphasized the need for storing them under proper hygienic conditions.

“It is the duty of shop owners to demand quality services from wholesale marketers for the price you pay. Proper godowns and hygienic storage mediums are essential for ensuring the life of raw materials. Any kind of malpractice should be immediately brought to the attention of the district food safety officers,” he added.

Bakeries in State do not resort to malpractices, says BAKE