Cancerous chemical in bread fails to dent sales in Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram: That there could be cancer-causing chemical in bread manufactured by major brands, had rocked the nation, but it has not affected sales in Thiruvananthapuram. “It is still early to say whether there has been some impact,” says Gopakumar Kaimal, managing partner of a leading bread manufacturer here.

However, many did ring him up to ask if their brand of products had any of those hazardous chemicals. “We have assured them that our products don’t have it. We source our flour from local flour mills. We are sure they don’t use these. It is used to make the bread softer, and we have to pay extra if they use any such chemical,” he says.

An employee at a major bread outlet also shared that their regular customers are asking if their products are safe. Meanwhile, the small-time bread manufacturers too have issued statements saying that the bread they supply is safe.

Almost all manufacturers are quick to allay the fears of the people, saying that they add nothing, but yeast. However, the flour they use is rarely made by manufacturers. Many source it from flour mills, while many others rely on branded atta and maida.

Few like K.N. Ramakrishnan, GM, Elite Group of Companies, say they have their own flour mill units. The flour that is sourced is not tested for the presence of Potassium Bromate and Potassium Iodate, the two chemicals at the heart of the controversy. mentioned in the Delhi-based non-profit Centre for Science and Environment.

Many are ignorant about the chemicals. "We don’t have to use these, since these are for keeping the bread for a longer time. Our stocks get over in a couple of days, and we have to supply fresh bread," said an employee at a major bread outlet. Many like him have no idea that Potassium Bromate is used for better consistency in the dough and Potassium Iodate is a flour treatment agent.