Indian manufacturers use the two chemicals for treating flour while making bread, the study said. India’s food safety regulator, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), does not ban these two chemicals.

An additive that helps hold bread dough together, potassium bromate is known to cause cancer in thyroid, kidney and abdominal lining. The UK, Canada and Sri Lanka are among the countries where the chemical is banned. “The study, conducted by CSE’s Pollution Monitoring Laboratory (PML), says Indian bread manufacturers use potassium bromate and potassium iodate for treating flour while making bread,” a statement released by the CSE said.

“The use of these chemicals in the bread-making sector has been banned in many countries because they are listed as hazardous for public health: one is a category 2B carcinogen (possibly carcinogenic to humans) and the other could trigger thyroid disorders. India does not ban their use,” it said.

The study was conducted between May 2015 and April this year.

No residues were found in all four tested products of Defence Bakery (Whole Wheat Bread, Jumbo Slices Brown, Brown Bread, Multigrain), one out of four samples of English Oven (Sandwich Bread) and one out of two samples of Nirula’s (burger bread of Chatpata Aloo Burger).

Around 79 per cent (19/24) samples of packaged bread, all samples of white bread, pav, bun and ready-to-eat pizza bread and 75 per cent (3/4) samples of ready-to-eat burger bread were positive. The study found that 84 per cent (32/38) samples were found with potassium bromate or iodate in the range of 1.15-22.54 parts per million (ppm).

Source: newindianexpress.com, hindustantimes.com