PTI
NEW DELHI
The government 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.
"FSSAI has banned potassium bromate. A notification has been issued in this regard. As far as potassium potassium bromate is concerned, it has been referred to a scientific panel," FSSAI CEO Pawan Kumar Agarwal said.
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.
The All India Bread Manufacturers' Association, which represents over 90 organised bread manufacturers such as Harvest Gold and Britannia, had asked FSSAI to verify the findings of the CSE report that claimed most of the breads sold in the national capital contained cancer-causing chemicals.
