Jan. 11: Toxin of the Day - Potassium Bromate

Here is just a little more information about commercially packaged bread. Today's toxin is geared to our American friends, as this ingredient is illegal in Canada. The ingredient to look out for is Potassium Bromate. This substance is used to heighten the volume of the baked good less expensively than additional yeast. As it breaks down, most, but not all, of the chemical breaks down into bromide, which is relatively harmless. However a small amount of the Bromate remains, and this is where the trouble lies. Bromates have been proven to cause cancer in animal studies. So conclusive are these studies that every country in the world except the USA and Japan have banned the addition of this substance to food.

Other uses for Potassium Bromate are as a veterinary drug - it is commonly used as an anti-seizure medication for dogs and cats. I also found a reference that stated when mixed with aluminum it could be a fracturing agent for concrete.

Potassium Bromate is a proven carcinogen. Experiments have revealed that this chemical is a "complete carcinogen", which means the substance both initiates and promotes cancerous activity in cells. Potassium Bromate has been linked to kidney cancer and kidney failure.

The Material Safety Data Sheet in Canada issues the following warnings about the substance when used in an industrial setting:

DANGER! STRONG OXIDIZER.
CONTACT WITH OTHER MATERIAL MAY CAUSE FIRE OR FORM SHOCK SENSITIVE MATERIALS.
MAY BE FATAL IF SWALLOWED.
HARMFUL IF INHALED OR ABSORBED THROUGH THE SKIN.
CAUSES IRRITATION TO EYES, SKIN ,AND RESPIRATORY TRACT.
MAY CAUSE KIDNEY DAMAGE.

The MSDS also recommends "impervious protective clothing", safety goggles, and personal respirators when dealing with this substance.

I think that says it all, don't you?

Apparently it is difficult with new laws for the FDA to ban substances that are already in use. They can only request that the manufacturers phase out a chemical. Personally, I feel that the FDA is there to protect the consumer, and I think it is tragic that laws are passed that protect the rights of the food manufacturers to increase and maintain their profits by poisoning people.

Please read your labels! If you can't picture the source of the ingredient in your head (plant, animal, etc) DON'T EAT IT AND DON'T FEED IT TO YOUR CHILDREN!!!