ET NowIn an interview to ET Now, Pawan Agarwal, FSSAI CEO, FSSAI will soon notify removal of Pottasium Bromate shortly. But, he also said that there is no immediate danger from use of Pottasium Bromate.
ET Now: CSE report says that Pottasium Bromate and Pottasium Iodate are found in breads used by several leading companies. How serious is this issue? What has FSSAI done in this regard?
Pawan Agarwal: Let us first understand that process of setting up standards in food and their implantation is a process of continuous improvement. We are continuously trying to upgrade our standards to global standards and when we were reviewing standards for additives in respect of additives used in bakery products, we found that this additive called Pottasium Bromate may not be absolutely safe. In fact, the WHO report suggests that it is a group 2B category additive and there is some limited evidence that it may has carcinogenic effects. So, as a matter of abundant precaution, we basically decided to drop it from the list of permissible additives to be used in bakery industry.
ET Now: So has the decision already been taken to remove it and if yes, why was a carcinogenic substance permitted additive so far?
Pawan Agarwal: No, as I mentioned before that there is limited evidence of it is having cancer causing effect and as we get more evidence on this, we can confirm. In fact, in the scientific panel, there was a lot of debate on it whether or not it should be removed from permissible list and after careful consideration, we felt that it is necessary that we should remove it from the permissible list.
ET Now: We understand that you are looking to remove it from the permissible list. There are several companies including Jubilant Foodworks and several other companies that are using them in their products currently. Are notices going to be send to them to stop using this substance in their breads?
Pawan Agarwal: First of all, let us understand there should be no panic about the use of this substance because there is only very limited evidence about it being harmful and causing cancer. Number two, as a matter of abundant percussion we have tried and decided to remove it from the list of permissible additives and once the notification is issued, we will request and advise the food businesses not to use it in their bakery products and their manufacturing processes.
ET Now: Would you go on record to say that the use of Pottasium chromate in bread currently is not completely safe by these companies?
Pawan Agarwal: No, as I mentioned there is only limited evidence of its being harmful and therefore we need not create panic about use of it by a few businesses. In fact, the test results that are available are not very comprehensive. I have spoken to people in the Centre for Science and Environment and we are examining the test results that they have carried out. Once it is notified, we will not allow this use anymore, but we do not have a very clear idea on the extent of use as of now.
ET Now: Apart from this, another crucial substance that has also been named in the CSE report is Pottasium iodate. Is FSSAI looking at banning that? What are the findings and response?
Pawan Agarwal: In case of Pottasium iodate, I think we all recognise the fact that there is an issue of iodine deficiency in India and we have been promoting iodised salt in the country. So if additional iodine is taken by consumers through bread and bakery products, we do not have good evidence on the extent of harmfulness around it. We are examining it and once we find that it is harmful then we may take a view on this.
ET Now: Are you going to ban Pottasium Iodate as a permitted additive right now?
Pawan Agarwal: Not as of now.
ET Now: So as of now, is it only Pottasium Bromate that is going to be removed from the list?
Pawan Agarwal: Yes.
ET Now: CSE report says that Pottasium Bromate and Pottasium Iodate are found in breads used by several leading companies. How serious is this issue? What has FSSAI done in this regard?
Pawan Agarwal: Let us first understand that process of setting up standards in food and their implantation is a process of continuous improvement. We are continuously trying to upgrade our standards to global standards and when we were reviewing standards for additives in respect of additives used in bakery products, we found that this additive called Pottasium Bromate may not be absolutely safe. In fact, the WHO report suggests that it is a group 2B category additive and there is some limited evidence that it may has carcinogenic effects. So, as a matter of abundant precaution, we basically decided to drop it from the list of permissible additives to be used in bakery industry.
ET Now: So has the decision already been taken to remove it and if yes, why was a carcinogenic substance permitted additive so far?
Pawan Agarwal: No, as I mentioned before that there is limited evidence of it is having cancer causing effect and as we get more evidence on this, we can confirm. In fact, in the scientific panel, there was a lot of debate on it whether or not it should be removed from permissible list and after careful consideration, we felt that it is necessary that we should remove it from the permissible list.
ET Now: We understand that you are looking to remove it from the permissible list. There are several companies including Jubilant Foodworks and several other companies that are using them in their products currently. Are notices going to be send to them to stop using this substance in their breads?
Pawan Agarwal: First of all, let us understand there should be no panic about the use of this substance because there is only very limited evidence about it being harmful and causing cancer. Number two, as a matter of abundant percussion we have tried and decided to remove it from the list of permissible additives and once the notification is issued, we will request and advise the food businesses not to use it in their bakery products and their manufacturing processes.
ET Now: Would you go on record to say that the use of Pottasium chromate in bread currently is not completely safe by these companies?
Pawan Agarwal: No, as I mentioned there is only limited evidence of its being harmful and therefore we need not create panic about use of it by a few businesses. In fact, the test results that are available are not very comprehensive. I have spoken to people in the Centre for Science and Environment and we are examining the test results that they have carried out. Once it is notified, we will not allow this use anymore, but we do not have a very clear idea on the extent of use as of now.
ET Now: Apart from this, another crucial substance that has also been named in the CSE report is Pottasium iodate. Is FSSAI looking at banning that? What are the findings and response?
Pawan Agarwal: In case of Pottasium iodate, I think we all recognise the fact that there is an issue of iodine deficiency in India and we have been promoting iodised salt in the country. So if additional iodine is taken by consumers through bread and bakery products, we do not have good evidence on the extent of harmfulness around it. We are examining it and once we find that it is harmful then we may take a view on this.
ET Now: Are you going to ban Pottasium Iodate as a permitted additive right now?
Pawan Agarwal: Not as of now.
ET Now: So as of now, is it only Pottasium Bromate that is going to be removed from the list?
Pawan Agarwal: Yes.
( Originally published on May 24, 2016 )
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