Florida AG Probes Cancer-Linked Food Additive in Bread
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Florida's Attorney General has launched a major investigation into potassium bromate, a common food additive found in bread and baked goods, citing potential links to cancer and kidney damage. The probe specifically targets the supply chain for products sold to schools and has already issued subpoenas to companies like General Mills and Pillsbury.
This controversial additive, classified as possibly carcinogenic by IARC and banned in dozens of countries including the EU, Canada, and China, is now under scrutiny in Florida under deceptive and unfair trade practices acts. This move highlights a growing nationwide effort by states to challenge food additives, potentially leading to significant regulatory impacts on manufacturers across the country.
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Transcript
Florida's attorney general has launched a probe into a common food additive found in bread and baked goods, potassium bromate, citing potential links to cancer and kidney damage. James Uthmeier announced the investigation on July 14th, targeting the supply chain for products containing the additive, especially those sold to schools. Subpoenas have already been issued to General Mills and its subsidiary Pillsbury, with more companies expected to be named. Potassium bromate has been used as a flour improver since 1916, but the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies it as possibly carcinogenic to humans, based on animal studies showing kidney tumors and DNA damage. The additive has been banned in the European Union since 1990 and in Canada, China, India, and dozens of other countries. The US Food and Drug Administration, however, maintains that when used properly, potassium bromate converts to harmless potassium bromide in the finished product. Uthmeier says the state is not yet planning lawsuits, but is gathering evidence under Florida's deceptive and unfair trade practices act. He stressed the need to balance business interests with public safety, stating, "We want to be a great state that's welcoming to business, but we will never forget about public ...
