FSSAI probing 'cancer-causing bread' issue, may ban harmful food additives

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: In view of Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) study which found potassium bromate and potassium iodate in various popular bread samples, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is considering to impose a ban on all harmful food additives.

As per a report from Hindustantimes, FSSAI is evaluating about 11,000 food additives to identify the harmful ones that will be banned for use in the country.

The regulator has also recommended removal of potassium bromate from the list of permissible food additives to the Health Ministry following the CSE report.

On Monday, the CSE released a report claiming that nearly 84% of 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.

The report stated that potassium bromate, which is said to be a Class 2B carcinogenic and may cause cancer, potassium iodate can lead to “thyroid disorders, increase the incidence of autoimmune thyroiditis and increase the risk of thyroid cancer.