Food technology consulting

1. Potassium Bromate: know the facts Use of Potassium bromate:Potassium bromate is typically used as a flour improver. It acts to strengthen the dough and to allow higher rising. It is an oxidizing agent, and under the right conditions, will be completely used up in the baking bread. However, if too much is added, or if the bread is not baked long enough or not at a high enough temperature, then a residual amount will remain, which may be harmful if consumed. (Source: Wikipedia.com) Global Concern: Potassium bromate is classified as a category 2B carcinogen (possibly carcinogenic to humans) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). (Source: International Agency for Research on Cancer). It means it has been found to cause cancer to lab animals. Permissible limit: Potassium Bromate is allowed as a food additive in bread by FSSAI in the concentration of 50 ppm (on flour mass basis) (Source: Appendix A - Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) Study Conducted by Pollution monitoring laboratory (PML) of Centre for science and environment (CSE): PML tested 38 commonly available branded varieties of pre packed breads of popular fast food outlets from Delhi. Results: 84% (32/38) samples were found with Potassium Bromate/ Iodate in the range of 1.15-22.54 ppm. 79% (19/24) samples of packaged bread, all samples of white bread, pav, bun and ready-to-eat pizza bread and 75% (3/4) samples of ready- to-eat burger bread tested positive. 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). High levels of Potassium Bromate/Iodate were found in Products of Perfect Bread, Harvest Gold and Britannia. Also fast food outlets KFC, Pizza Hut, Domino’s, Subway and McDonald’s, Nirula’s and Slice of Itlay were found positive.(Souce: http://www.cseindia.org/content/what’s-our-bread) World on Potassium Bromate: Potassium bromate has been banned from use in food products in the European Union, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Nigeria, South Korea, Peru and some other countries. It was banned in Sri Lanka in 2001 and China in 2005. United States of America has not banned it but FDA has urged bakers to voluntarily stop using it. In California a warning label is required when bromated flour is used. Japanese baked goods manufacturers stopped using potassium bromate voluntarily in 1980, but Yamazaki baking started using it claiming new production methods. Action on Potassium Bromate: FSSAI is on the move to remove Potassium Bromate from list of additives approved by FSSAI. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) CEO Pawan Kumar Agarwal told PTI "A scientific panel had recommended removal of potassium bromate from the list of additives. So we have already decided to take it out from the list. Soon it will be notified,”