NEW DELHI: Think before eating that favorite loaf in breakfast as a study found that 84 percent of 38 commonly available packaged bread samples contain cancer causing chemicals. Union Health Ministry has also ordered a probe in the matter.
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.
The PML tested 38 commonly available branded varieties of pre-packaged breads, pav and buns, ready-to-eat burger bread and ready-to-eat pizza breads of popular fast food outlets from Delhi.
High levels of potassium bromate/iodate were found in sandwich bread, pav, bun and white bread. Products of Perfect Bread, Harvest Gold and Britannia were those with higher levels.
Products of all five popular multinational fast food outlets selling pizza and burger were found positive with potassium bromate/iodate. These include KFC, Pizza Hut, Domino’s, Subway and McDonald’s. Except Domino’s, others have denied use in a response to CSE.
Samples of two other fast food outlets -- Nirula’s and Slice of Italy -- tested positive for potassium bromate/iodate. Slice of Italy denied use of the chemicals to CSE.
“We found 84 percent samples positive with potassium bromate/iodate. We re-confirmed the presence of potassium bromate/iodate in a few samples through an external third-party laboratory. We checked labels and talked to industry and scientists,” says Chandra Bhushan, deputy director general, CSE and head of the CSE lab.
He said the study confirms the widespread use of potassium bromate/iodate as well as presence of bromate/iodate residues in the final product. 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 as they are carcinogenic to humans and the other could trigger thyroid disorders. India does not ban their use.
Reacting to the CSE report, Health Minister J P Nadda said,"We are seized of the matter. I have told my officials to report to me on an urgent basis. There is no need to panic. Very soon we will come out with the (probe) report."
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).
Responding to the report, Britannia said it does not use Potassium Bromate or Iodate as an ingredient in any of its bread recipes.
“All Britannia breads products are in 100 per cent compliance to the existing food safety Regulations as stipulated by FSSAI. It must be noted that FSSAI stipulates usage of all Food Additives in Food Products within per permissible limits. For potassium Bromate/Iodate FSSAI stipulates the permissible limit as 50 ppm max (On flour mass basis),” the company said in a statement.
Domino's Pizza said that it adheres to the highest quality standards and Indian food laws and follow all processes to maintain the highest level of food safety across all our restaurants.
"The flour used by us is not treated with Potassium Bromate / Potassium Iodate. We do undertake certificate of analysis/undertaking from our flour suppliers on no usage of Potassium Bromate/Potassium Iodate in our flour supplies. We also carry out regular assessments of the flour to ensure compliance in this regard,” said a company spokesperson.
Echoing similar views, KFC said,"The safety and health of our customers is our top most priority and we are committed to following the best international standards and serving the highest quality products to customers. We have stringent processes in place to ensure that the food we serve complies with requirements laid down by FSSAI and is absolutely safe for consumption," it said.