It follows the release of a report by the country’s Center for Science and Environment (CSE) that found residues of potassium bromate and/or iodate in 84% of samples of industrial loaf products collected in Delhi.
Neither the report or recommendation implicates traditional Indian breads or flour used to make other Real Bread in the country.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies potassium bromate as a category 2B carcinogen: possibly carcinogenic to humans. As such, it is banned in many countries, including the UK and rest of the EU, Australia and China. Its use is, however, still legal in countries including India and the USA.
As an oxidizing agent, potassium bromate can be used by industrial loaf fabricators to strengthen dough, allowing even weaker flours to rise higher.
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