Kolkata civic body orders testing of bread samples

Kolkata: The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has ordered sampling and testing of bread products across the city after a study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) reportedly found certain harmful chemicals in bread, buns, pavs, pizza bases and other commercially-sold bakery items, an official said on Wednesday.
"We held a meeting with our food safety officers on Tuesday and asked them to collect samples from various city pockets.
These samples would be sent on Wednesday to the central government lab (Central Food Laboratory) in Kyd Street and one other lab at Barasat for testing," Atin Ghosh, Mayor-In-Council member (health), told IANS.
The CSE on Monday released a report which said that Indian bread manufacturers use potassium bromate and potassium iodate for treating flour while making bread.
Potassium bromate is known to be a category 2B carcinogen and is already banned in Britain, the European Union, Australia, Canada and Sri Lanka, among other countries.
Following the report, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) said on Monday that it was already considering taking potassium bromate off the list of permitted additives following recommendation of a scientific panel.
The FSSAI said it was also examining the evidence against potassium iodate before taking any decision on disallowing its use.

Most Bottled Water is FILLED With Fluoride, Here’s a Complete List of Brands to

“Fluoride seems to fit in with lead, mercury, and other poisons that cause chemical brain drain,” Grandjean says.
“The effect of each toxicant may seem small, but the combined damage on a population scale can be serious, especially because the brain power of the next generation is crucial to all of us.”
As with other fresh water supplies (e.g., spring water, lake water, river water), bottled waters have low levels of fluoride.
Fresh surface water contains an average of just 0.05 ppm. To put this in perspective, artificially fluoridated water (using industrial-grade fluoride chemicals) contains 0.7 to 1.2 ppm fluoride, which is 14 to 24 times more than the average natural level.

Fluoride Health Problems

There is a lot of controversy surrounding the presence of fluoride in public drinking water (fluoridation). For starters, before fluoride was used to fight cavities, it was (and still is) used in insecticides and rat poision.
Fluorosis is a condition that wears down the enamal of the tooth, leaving behind white spots, making the teeth more vulnerable to cavities and decay. Fluorosis is a very real health condition that can effect both children and adults. More and more evidence is mounting against the use of fluoride, even in small amounts. But it doesn’t appear to be a critical issue according to the US Surgeon Generals, as the last 5 Surgeon Generals have supported the fluoridation of drinking water. Incidentally, the claimed health benefits almost always point to oral health. Fortunately, the CDC is calling for new labeling rules requiring manufacturers to list a product’s fluoride content, which we have found to be missing in some cases.
What is too much Fluoride?
Fluoride itself is actually required by our bodies in low doses. When consumed in high amounts, specifically the man-made fluoride that is in public drinking water, can cause problems.
An estimated 5-10g of sodium fluoride can be lethal for some adults. While fluoride provides benefits to your oral health, it can also come with adverse side effects, that vary in severity depending upon the amount of fluoride consumed. Excessive consumption of fluoride can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort. This can occur with doses 15 to 20 times lower than actual lethal doses (0.2-0.3mg/kg). Fluoride in exessive amounts can also cause problems in the formation bone.

Here are some bottled water brands that contain little to no fluoride:
A Better Water
Agromas Natural Mineral Water
Albertsons
Alpina
American Fare
American Star
Appco
Aqua Fresca
Aqua Panna
Aqua Pure
Aquarius Natural Mineral Water
Arbor Springs
Arlington Springs
Aquafina Water
Aqua Systems
Aqua Von
Artesian Wells
Augusta Medical – Daniels
Badger Water
Besco Pure Premium Drinking Water
BIOTA Colorado Pure Spring Water
Bio-2
Black Berry Farms
Blue Ice Natural Mineral Water
Boney’s
BORNEO
Bountyland
Buches
Calistoga
Callaway Blue
CAPA
Cascade
Century Springs
Chemung
Chippewa Spring Water
Citi Stop
Classic Selection
Clearly Arctic
Clear Mountain Spring Water
Clover Company Limited
Coach
Cold Country
Cohutta Mountain Spring Water
Cowboy Squeeze
Crowne Plaza Drinking Water
Crowne Plaza Natural Mineral Water
Cruel Jacks Spring Water
Crystal Mountain Spring Water
Crystal Point
Crystal Ridge
Crystal Spring Natural Spring Water
Culligan Water
Dakota Splash
Dannon
Deep Rock
Deep Rock Crystal Drop
Deep Rock Fontenelle
Deja Blue
Desert Quench
East Phils
Eco Quest
Elite
Equatorial Natural Mineral Water
Essentia Water
Eureka
Evian
E Water
Family Pantry
Famous Ramona Water
Flowing Springs
Food Club
Founders Square Bank
Fresh Brands Artesian
Fresh Brands Distilled Water
Fresh Brands Drinking Water
Fresh Market
Get-N-Go
Glacier Bay
Glen Summit Springs Water
Glen Summit Distilled Water
Glenwood Inglewood
Gordon Food Service
Great Bear
Great Value
Harvey’s
H2O4U
Henry’s
Hidden Valley Natural Mineral Water
Hillcrest Distilled Water
Hillcrest Drinking Water
Hillcrest Spring Water
Hilton PJ Natural Mineral Water
Hinckley Springs
HINT
Hi-Sprint Drinking Water
Hi-Sprint Natural Mineral Water
Hog Wash
Hon Less Natural Mineral Water
Ice Jam
Inland
Istana Natural Mineral Water
Joe Muggs
Joe Ragan’s Pure Water
Junior Johnson
Just Squeezed
KLGCC Natural Mineral Water
Kroger Bottled Water (Reverse Osmosis)
Krystal J Artesian Water
Krystal J Distilled Water
Laure
Leroy Jenkins Ministries
Logansport Savings Bank
Lowe’s
Martins
Masafi Pure Natural Mineral Water
Mercurio Produce
Mesra Drinking Water
Mesra Natural Mineral Water
Misty Mountain
Monadnock Mountain Spring Water
Montclair
Mountain Energy
Mountain Forest
Mountain Valley Spring Water
Mutiara Natural Mineral Water
Nantze Springs
New Frontier Bank
Niagra Mist
Nicolet Distilled
Northern Illinois University
Oasis Pure Drinking Water
Oasis Sparkling Water
Ogallala – Clear Cool Water
OUI Drinking Water
OUI Natural Mineral Water
Paiges
Parmer Pure H2O
Patriots Choice
Pelangi Natural Mineral Water
Penta Ultra Premium Purified Drinking Water
Piggly Wiggly
Polaris Water
Pristine Natural Artesian
Purely Sedona
Quick Stop
Rain Soft
Refresh Natural Mineral Water
Reiser Drinking Water
Request Foods, Inc.
Rip Time
Roundy’s “Purified Water”
Safeway – Refreshe
Sam’s Wine & Spirits
San Faustino Natural Mineral Water
San Pellegrino
Santee Springs
Scheopner’s Water
Sequoia Springs
Scotts
Shamrock
Shop-N-Cart
Shur-Fine
Silver Creek Purified Water
Silver Creek Spring Water
Sky Drinking Water
Smart Water
Snow Valley
Spinx
Stator Bros. Markets
Summit Mountain
Summit Springs
Summit Valley
T-Rex
Teton Mountain Lodge Spring Water
Tweetsie
United Dairy Farmers
Volvic
Vitamin Water
Veta Drinking Water
Valutime
Whistler Water
Whole Foods 365
Woodland Spring Water
Wyoming Machinery “Catipillar” Spring Water
Zodiac

List of brands to avoid that are known to be high in fluoride:
Alhambra
Arrowhead
Belmont Springs
Crystal Rock
Crystal Springs
Deer Park
Diamond Springs
Hindley Spri
Ice Mountain
Kandiyohi
Kentwood Springs
Mayer Bros.
Mount Olympus
Nursery Water
Ozarka
Poland Spring
Pure Flo
Puritan Springs
Shenandoah
Sierra Springs
Sparkletts
Zephyrhills
The list contains data provided by the International Bottled Water Association that you can use to make sure you’re not feeding fluoride to yourself and your family.

Safe To Eat Bread, Says Food Regulator FSSAI

NEW DELHI: A day after a Centre for Science and Environment report said that everyday bakery items could have cancer causing substances like potassium bromate, the Food Safety Standards Association of India or FSSAI has said there is no need to panic.

On its part, the food regulator has announced a ban on potassium bromate, an additive that's commonly used in bakery products, but says eating bread is still 'absolutely safe'.

Speaking to NDTV, Pawan Agarwal, the CEO of the food regulatory body, said, "As an abundant precaution we have decided that potassium bromate will no longer be permitted as an additive after our panel recommended it though there is limited evidence that it causes cancer. Bread is still safe to consume. Global standards are a reference. We have to develop our own standards for Indian conditions."

Even though consumers and the food safety regulator were not worried, the markets were spooked impacting the shares of companies that sell bread with some even closing in the red.

Countries like the UK, Australia, Canada, China and Sri Lanka have banned the use of potassium bromate as a flour treatment agent years ago. CODEX, the international body that sets safety standards for food products also considered it unsafe in 2012.

Deputy director general at Centre for Science and Environment Chandra Bhushan said, "There is a lot of scope for FSSAI to improve label practices and standards and of course enforcement is required. Even self-regulation requires regulation."

Potassium bromate is commonly used as a flour improver in baking but with the ban in place, the question is, will this lead to an overhaul of our regulation system or another Maggi-like scare?

Bread makers to meet FSSAI over CSE report

Agenda will be to explain their position and discuss the matter in detail

A day after New-Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment (CSE)’s report on the presence of high levels of cancer-causing additives in white bread, pav, bun and pizza bread, the country’s apex body of bread manufacturers said it would seek a meeting with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to explain their position.

In a conversation with Business Standard, Ramesh Mago, president of the All India Bread Manufacturers’ Association, which has representation of top bread makers such as Britannia, Harvest Gold and Modern, said: “The body will have an internal meeting in the next day or two to discuss this issue. We will meet the FSSAI shortly. The food safety regulations of 2011 permit up to 50 parts per million (ppm) of potassium bromate and/or potassium iodate in bread. In allied bakery products, it is 20 ppm for the two additives. In the event they are struck off the food additives list by FSSAI, we will cease to use them,” he said.

The FSSAI has clarified that a notification to remove potassium bromate off the food additives list is in the works. “It wasn’t notified so far though a scientific panel had discussed the relevance of potassium bromate and whether it is carcinogenic or not. Updating food standards is an ongoing process and we will issue a notification to strike it off the food additives list shortly,” said Pawan Agarwal, chief executive officer of FSSAI.

Bread makers, however, have asked for time, saying they will need three to six months to change manufacturing and packaging if potassium bromate is struck off the list.

CSE had said on Monday that 84 per cent of the 38 commonly available brands of pre-packaged breads including pav and buns tested positive for potassium bromate and potassium iodate, banned in many countries as they are listed as ‘hazardous’ for public health.

According to CSE, one of the two is a category 2B carcinogen, the other triggers thyroid disorders. The bread samples that were tested include brands such as Britannia, Harvest Gold and fast-food chains such as KFC, Pizza Hut, Domino’s, Subway, McDonald’s and Slice of Italy. The study was limited to the Delhi region.

A statement by Jubilant FoodWorks, the master franchisee of Domino’s and Dunkin Donuts in India, said. “The flour used by us is not treated with potassium bromate or potassium iodate. We undertake a certificate of analysis from all our suppliers on no usage of the above additives. We also carry out regular assessment of the flour to ensure compliance in this regard.”

Vikram Ogale, director (national supply chain and quality assurance) at Westlife Development, the franchisee of McDonald’s in the west and south of India, said: “We go through a lot of effort to ensure our food is safe for our customers and have stringent quality processes at every stage. In India, as also globally, McDonald’s adheres to the highest food safety standards and pursues strict compliance with consumer safety laws and regulations.”

Britannia stated: “We have studied the test reports released by the CSE. It clearly states that the third-party lab report did not find potassium bromate or iodate in Britannia bread samples. All our bread products are in 100 per cent compliance of existing food safety regulations.” A KFC spokesperson added, “Our suppliers have confirmed that they do not use flour treated with potassium bromate or potassium iodate to manufacture our products. The safety and health of our customers is our top most priority.”

Food Industry calls CSE report baseless

CSE says its new study points to presence of possible cancer-causing chemical in bread

The food industry, reacting to the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) report on breads containing cancer and thyroid-causing chemicals, has called it “baseless”.

Vikram Ogale, director, National Supply Chain and Quality Assurance, McDonald’s India, said in a statement that they denied the claims made in the report.

“We do not use potassium bromate or potassium iodate in flour. The claims made by CSE are completely baseless,’’ he said.

A spokesperson of Domino’s said in an e-mail that at Jubilant FoodWorks Limited, “we believe in, and adhere to, the highest quality standards and Indian food laws. We follow all processes to maintain the highest level of food safety across all our restaurants. We only use additives/ingredients duly approved under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India Act [FSSAI] in all our preparations [across all our restaurants].”

KFC too, in a written statement, maintained that they do not use flour treated with potassium bromate or potassium iodate to manufacture their products.

“The safety and health of our customers are our priorities, and we are committed to following the best international standards while serving customers,” it said.

Britannia too said that it did not use potassium bromate or iodate as an ingredient in any of its bread recipes.

“Britannia has studied the report released by the CSE, and it states that no traces of potassium bromate or iodate were found in Britannia bread samples,” the company said in an emailed statement.

The CSE, however, said they stood by their report and that a detailed copy of the same was put up for the public and the industry alike.

“We had informed the industry about the results and sought their opinion. While Domino’s did not reply, others denied the presence of the two chemicals. We, however, stand by our study,’’ said Chandra Bhushan, deputy director general, CSE and head of the CSE lab.

Food regulator asks for ban on cancer-causing bread additive

FSSAI Move On Potassium Bromate Hailed

The country's food regulator has recommended to the health ministry that potassium bromate be removed from the list of permissible additives.

The move to drop the additive from the list comes after a study by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) suggested presence of potassium bromate, which has been identified as a possible carcinogen by the World Health Organisation (WHO), in 84% of 38 com monly available pre-packaged breads and ready-to-eat pizzas.

“Potassium bromate is one of 11,000 food additives that are allowed in the food business.After careful consideration, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has decided to remove potassium bromate from the list of permissible additives,“ FSSAI CEO Pawan Kumar Agarwal said, adding that it would be banned after it is removed from the permissible additives list.

He said the notification removing the additive from the list would be issued by the health ministry which may take a week or two.

The food regulator is also poring over evidence to take a decision on the use of potassium iodate. CSE had also claimed that products tested by them had potassium iodate, which can affect thyroid function. CSE said potassium bro mate typically in creased dough strength, leading to higher rising and uniform finish to baked products, while potassium iodate is a flour treatment agent.

The environment and health NGO welcomed FSSAI's action. “Centre for Science and Environment welcomes the announcement made by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India to ban the use of potassium bromate in making bread in India. CSE also ap preciates the authority's proactive move in deciding to examine the use of potassium iodate in bread-making,“ it said in a statement.

Health minister J P Nadda said he has asked FSSAI to examine the issue and fast-track its report and promised to take immediate action.

“I have told FSSAI to take the matter seriously and submit a report. They are coming out with a report.The ministry will take appropriate action accordingly. We will take action as soon as the report comes,“ Nadda said.

Bread’s got cancer? Food safety standards need to be upgraded and expanded on a war footing

In yet another case that casts serious doubts about our food safety standards, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has found high levels of potassium bromate – identified as a possible carcinogen by WHO – and potassium iodate – which can affect thyroid functioning – in 84% of samples of common varieties of packaged bread. The use of both additives as flour treatment agents in bakery products has been banned in several countries such as the UK, EU nations, Canada, Australia and even China. However, in India both chemicals are allowed in bread-making with certain conditions.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India’s regulations allow use of the two additives at 50 parts per million for bread and 20 parts per million for bakery flour. Some manufacturers have cited this to defend themselves. However, it only goes to show that the standards in India need revising. This is all the more urgent because consumption of breads and other packaged food items in the country is on the rise. As is the popularity of fast foods – the CSE study also found products of five well-known multinational fast food companies selling pizza and burger to be positive for potassium bromate and iodate.

Against this backdrop, there’s a serious need for upgrading and expanding government’s food testing mechanisms. We need more laboratories, more safety inspectors and greater number of periodic tests. Plus, it’s relatively easier to enforce accountability on food companies in the organised sector. The real challenge is with testing unlabelled, locally produced food items that are sold via kirana stores and small street vendors. That said, it’s welcome that cases like the CSE bread study and the Maggi inspection last year are creating a stir. What’s needed is a wider debate on safety of the entire food ecosystem to put pressure on government to revise food safety standards periodically.

Govt warns JK bakery manufacturers

“All the bakery manufacturers are directed to adhere to these regulations otherwise strict action as per the provisions of FSS Act 2006 shall be initiated against them,”

According to Assistant Commissioner, Food Safety district Srinagar, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has prohibited the use of Potassium Bromate in breads, buns and pavs for being health hazardous. The use of Potassium Iodate has been restricted up to 20 PPM.

“All the bakery manufacturers are directed to adhere to these regulations otherwise strict action as per the provisions of FSS Act 2006 shall be initiated against them,” an official spokesman said.

Agra bakeries under food department’s radar

Agra's Food Safety Department has decided to conduct sample tests in bakeries across the city, following revelations by theCentre for Science and Environment (CSE) that 84 per cent of bread and bakery samples collected from across Delhi contain cancer and thyroid causing residues of potassium bromate , iodate or both.

Confirming the move, Ram Naresh Yadav, designated officer, Food Safety and drug administration said while the FDA has approved few additives FDA for use in bakery products, some manufacturers could be using compounds that are harmful to increase the shelf life of their products. He said since the report reveals that majority of samples in Delhi had failed tests, the department had decided to conduct checks in the city, which has about 50 big bakery units.

While on the face of it the decision to conduct such checks may appear to be prudent, the fact is that Agra so far does not have any state of the art food testing laboratories. Only two weeks ago, the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) had approved a National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) certified lab but unfortunately it would functional only by the end of 2017.

Sources in the department confess that so far their labs are only equipped to check for presence of some chemicals in food items but cannot conduct tests for adulteration. "Since such mass tests on bakeries would be conducted for the first time, one cannot be sure about their results", said an officer on condition of anonymity.

FDA asks Goa bread units and poders for pao samples

Panaji : In the light of the study that says that breads in India contain carcinogens, the food and drugs administration (FDA) has ordered its food inspectors to collectbread samples from bakers and bread manufacturing companies across the State.

FDA director Salim Veljee said he has issued the directions following media reports of a study released by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) that says that most breads by Indian companies contained chemicals such as bromate and iodate. These chemicals damage human health and could also lead to cancer. Leading bread brands tested positive for both chemicals.

Veljee said it will be days before the results of the bread samples tested are received.

An official, on condition of anonymity, said the use of potassium bromate came under the list of additives permitted by the food safety and standards authority of India (FSSAI). With no ban on the use of the two chemicals, the official said they would able to take action against a bread manufacturer only if his products contained either of the two chemicals in quantities beyond the permissible limit of 50 parts per million.

Some local bakers in the State have denied using the chemicals in either their bread or in any other bakery product. A member of the All Goa Bakers Association said that they do not use potassium bromate or potassium iodate, only yeast. "Other ingredients used are water, salt, sugar and flour," the member said.

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மக்கள் சாப்பிடும் பிரட்களில் கேன்சர் பரப்பும் ரசாயனம் தடை விதிக்க ‘பசாய்’ பரிந்துரை

புது டெல்லி, மே 25:

பிரட் க ளில் சேர்க் கப் ப டும் பொட் டா சி யம் புரோ மேட் என்ற ரசா ய னம், கேன் சரை ஏற் ப டுத் தும் என் ப தால், அதற்கு மத் திய அரசு தடை விதிக்க உணவு பாது காப்பு தர ஆணை யம்(பசாய்) பரிந் துரை செய் துள் ளது.

‘பேக் கிங்’ செய் யப் ப டும் உணவு பொருட் க ளில் பொட் டா சி யம் புரோ மேட் என்ற ரசா ய ன மும் ஒன்று. பிரட் களை வெட் டும் போது அது சீரா க வும், உறு தி யா க வும் இருப் ப தற் காக இந்த ரசா ய னம் மைதா மாவு க ளில் சேர்க் கப் ப டு கி றது. இது கேன் சரை ஏற் ப டுத் தும் என் ப தால், இந்த ரசா ய னத்தை உண வுப் பொருட் க ளில் சேர்க்க பல நாடு கள் தடை விதித் துள் ளன.

டெல் லி யில் விற் பனை செய் யப் ப டும் 38 பிர பல நிறு வ னங் க ளின் பிரட் வகை உண வு களை அறி வி யல் மற் றும் சுற் றுச் சூ ழல் மையம் ஆய்வு செய் தது. இவற் றில் 84 சத வீத அளவுக்கு பொட் டா சி யம் புரோ மேட் மற் றும் பொட் டா சி யம் அயோ டேட் இருப் பது தெரி ய வந் தது. இத் த க வல் வெளி யா ன தும், இது கு றித்து ஆய்வு செய்து அறிக்கை தாக் கல் செய்ய பசாய்(எப்.எஸ்.எஸ்.ஏ.ஐ) அமைப்பை மத் திய அரசு கேட் டுக் கொண் டது. இந் நி லை யில், பொட் டா சி யம் புரோ மேட்டை உண வில் சேர்க் கப் ப டும் பொருட் க ளின் பட் டி ய லில் இருந்து நீக்க சுகா தா ரத் துறை அமைச் ச கத் துக்கு ‘பசாய்’ பரிந் துரை செய் துள் ளது. இதை ய டுத்து பொட் டா சி யம் புரோ மேட் டுக்கு மத் திய அரசு விரை வில் தடை விதிக் கும் எனத் தெரி கி றது.

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