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The All India Bread Manufacturers Association (AIBMA) has said that bread makers will do away with the use of potassium bromate as an additive in bread and bakery products.
On Thursday, the AIBMA, which represents the organised bread manufacturers in the market, said that it proposes to stop use of potassium bromate with immediate effect, without waiting for a formal notification from the FSSAI. Industry players said since the controversy broke, bread and bakery product sales declined by 20-30 per cent.
AIMBA said, though it would ask its members to stop using it from Thursday, it will be able to implement the same in the next two-three days. With regard to potassium iodate, it said, the bakery industry does not use it in India as it has no functional use.
Earlier this week, reacting to a study by the Centre for Science and Environment that claimed to have found carcinogenic chemicals in bread and bakery products, the FSSAI had said that it will soon notify the removal of potassium bromate and potassium iodate from the list of permissive additives based on the recommendations of its scientific panel.
To create awareness “In various countries potassium iodate is used by the industry only when mandated to augment the iodine intake,” Adil Hassan, MD of Harvest Gold and member of the AIBMA, said.
Ramesh Mago, President, AIBMA and MD, Kitty Industries, said that there are various enzymes and emulsifiers that can be used to replace these chemicals which are cheaper to use. “We will also work with the small bakers so that they can have access and knowledge about using alternatives to potassium bromate,” he added. He said that the AIBMA members met with the FSSAI officials on Thursday, apprising them of the association’s decisions.
Addressing a press conference, Hassan said, “Potassium bromate and potassium iodate are considered safe and legal and also currently approved for widespread use by not only FSSAI but also the USFDA. Players who use it are not at fault. However, given that potassium bromate has become a controversial subject and causing confusion among consumers, we have decided to voluntary withdraw its use as an additive in the products.”
However, the AIBMA represents only the organised players in the country. Only 40-45 per cent of the ₹7,000-crore bread and bakery industry is controlled by the organised players.
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