Shocking Revelation

A research report finds that common varieties of bread may contain cancer-causing chemicals
By Team Double Helical

If you and your family happen to be habitual of daily consumption of breads like pao, pao roti, fen etc, you should better be on your guard. A latest report released by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) reveals that bread could contain cancer-causing chemicals, including Potassium Bromate and Potassium Iodate. These are banned in many countries, but not in India due to slack food regulations.
The CSE tested some of the breads sold in Delhi and found residues of Potassium Bromate and Iodate in commonly consumed varieties. The use of Potassium Bromate – classified as a category 2B carcinogen (possibly carcinogenic to humans) – is banned in most countries. Also, Potassium Iodate, which contributes to thyroid-related diseases, was found. The institution has now recommended an immediate ban on these two chemicals.
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 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,” says Chandra Bhushan, deputy director general, CSE and head of the CSE lab.
Eighty-four per cent (32/38) samples were found with Potassium Bromate/Iodate in the range of 1.15-22.54 parts per million (ppm). Seventy-nine 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 burgers bread tested positive.
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.
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).
Only one brand – Perfect Bread – labels use of Potassium Bromate. No maker among those tested labels Potassium Iodate. Only Britannia denied use of Potassium Bromate or Iodate.
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.
Samples of two other fast food outlets — Nirula’s and Slice of Italy — also tested positive for Potassium Bromate/Iodate. Slice of Italy have denied use of the chemicals. Union 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.”