The study, conducted by CSE’s Pollution Monitoring Laboratory (PML), said Indian bread manufacturers use potassium bromate and potassium iodate for treating flour while making bread.
The Union health ministry, on Monday, said that it will look into the claims that several popular brands of breads as well as products of fast food companies contain cancer-causing chemicals, media reported.
CSE also said that it appreciates the FSSAI's decision to examine the use of potassium iodate in bread-making.
The CSE r eport mentioned that 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.
Accordingly, CSE had recommended an immediate ban on them in India.