February 03, 2026 08:21 pm (IST)
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Govt. promises action on CSE report that Indian bread manufacturers use toxic chemicals
New Delhi, May 24 (Just Earth News) Union Health Minister JP Nadda has directed his officials to probe the findings of Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) findings that the bread that we buy off the shelves could be laced with toxic chemicals that are serious health hazards.
"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," Nadda was quoted saying on NDTV.
CSE deputy director general Chandra Bhusan also tweeted: "Great news. @fssaigov agrees to ban Potassium Bromate in Bread. Will notify the ban soon."
The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has claimed that a recent study conducted in Delhi by its Pollution Monitoring Laboratory (PML) has revealed that one of urban India’s staple food products – the bread that we buy off the shelves – could be laced with toxic chemicals that are serious health hazards.
The study says Indian bread manufacturers use potassium bromate and potassium iodate for treating flour while making bread. 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.
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.
“We found 84 per cent 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. Our study confirms the widespread use of potassium bromate/iodate as well as presence of bromate/iodate residues in the final product,” said Chandra Bhushan, deputy director general, CSE and head of the CSE lab.
Meanwhile, All India Bread Manufacturers Association in a statement said: "Food safety and Standards Authority of India's regulations permit the use of Potassium Bromate and/or Potassium Iodate at 50 ppm Max for bread and at 20 ppm Max for Bakery purpose".
It said the same additive is considered safe and is widely used in advanced countries like the US.
According to CSE, in 1999, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified potassium bromate as possibly carcinogenic (cancer causing) to humans. It was found to cause tumours of the kidney, thyroid and cancer of the abdominal lining in laboratory animals.
Considering potassium bromate as a ‘genotoxic carcinogen’, the JECFA (WHO/FAO Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives) in 1992 said that “use of potassium bromate as a flour treatment agent was not appropriate”.
The food safety regulations of India allow use of potassium bromate as flour treatment agent in bread and other bakery products. Potassium bromate is a powerful oxidizing agent, use of which makes the bread fluffy, soft and gives it a good finish.
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.
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