The use of potassium bromate as a flour improver in bread production has sparked widespread concern due to its potential health risks. Despite its popularity as a cost-effective and efficient oxidizing agent, health authorities and industry experts are raising alarms about the dangers of bromate and saccharine in bread-making practices....Read Full Article >>➤
Why Potassium Bromate Is Used in Bread Production
Potassium bromate has long been favored in the baking industry for its ability to enhance bread dough. As a slow oxidizer, it strengthens the dough, improving its elasticity during the fermentation and proofing stages. This chemical agent modifies gluten proteins in flour, leading to a softer, more desirable texture in the final product. Additionally, bromate contributes to the dough’s lightness and enhances the bread’s overall consistency, making it a staple ingredient for bakers seeking to produce high-quality loaves.
However, experts warn that the use of bromate comes with a hidden cost. Traces of heavy metals can contaminate bread through improper processing, storage, or environmental conditions, posing significant health risks to consumers.
NAFDAC’s Crackdown on Bromate and Saccharine
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued stern warnings to bakeries across Nigeria, urging them to desist from using potassium bromate and saccharine in bread production. Highlighting the risks to public health, NAFDAC Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed during a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) forum that several bakeries have already been shut down for violating these regulations.
“We have closed down a few bakeries because they are using bromate during bread production,” Adeyeye said. She emphasized the agency’s commitment to routine inspections and post-marketing surveillance, adding that bakeries caught using bromate would face severe penalties.
Adeyeye also encouraged consumers to report suspicious bread products, stressing that public complaints are instrumental in identifying violators.
Professional Bakers Defend Their Practices
In response to NAFDAC’s warnings, the Professional Bakers Association of Nigeria (PBAN) has assured the public that its members adhere to strict regulations and do not use bromate or saccharine in their production processes. National Publicity Secretary of PBAN, Mr. Emmanuel Onuoha, called for a more targeted approach from NAFDAC to eliminate quack bakeries that engage in substandard practices.
“I am speaking for PBAN. I can’t vouch for those who are not our members or the entire bread industry. We don’t use bromate or saccharine. We are not into those shenanigans,” Onuoha stated.
He further urged NAFDAC to intensify covert operations and enforce stricter regulations, ensuring only professional bakers operate in the industry. “Bread making is an art. Come to PBAN and see how we run business professionally. We follow regulations and international best practices,” he added.
Health Implications of Bromate in Bread
Potassium bromate is classified as a possible human carcinogen by several international health bodies, including the World Health Organization (WHO). When used in baking, it may not entirely break down during the cooking process, leaving residues that can be harmful if consumed over time. Long-term exposure to bromate has been linked to kidney damage, thyroid problems, and an increased risk of cancer.
Consumer Awareness and Industry Responsibility
The debate over bromate in bread underscores the need for greater consumer awareness and stricter monitoring within the baking industry. While professional bakers insist they comply with regulations, the onus lies on both regulators and consumers to ensure that health standards are upheld.
As NAFDAC continues its efforts to sanitize the industry, consumers are advised to remain vigilant about the bread they purchase. The agency’s crackdown serves as a wake-up call for the baking industry to prioritize public health over cost-cutting measures.
This incident highlights the importance of stringent regulatory frameworks, transparent industry practices, and informed consumer choices to safeguard public health in Nigeria and beyond……Read Full Article
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