(The Epoch Times)—Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier launched an investigation on July 14 into potassium bromate, a common food additive used by major manufacturers in bread and baked goods that has been linked to cancer and kidney problems in some animal laboratory tests.

“There’s a reason why most of the world has prohibited the use of potassium bromate in products and foods that are being sold,” Uthmeier said during a press conference announcing the investigation on Tuesday.

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The chemical compound has been banned as a food additive in the European Union since 1990, in Canada since 1994, in China since 2005, in India since 2016, and in Brazil, Argentina, South Korea, Peru, and several other countries.

The Sunshine State doesn’t plan to sue companies over the use of potassium bromate yet, Uthmeier said. His office is gathering information and issuing subpoenas to companies that buy and sell products that include potassium bromate.

“We will be starting with General Mills and their subsidiary, Pillsbury, and the list will likely go on from there,” Uthmeier said.

The subpoena asks the companies to produce documents related to their products containing the additive sold to buyers in Florida, specifically for flour products. The state is also requesting information about sales of the products to Florida schools.

“Here in Florida, we believe in business. We want to be a great state that’s welcoming to business opportunity and jobs,” Uthmeier said. “But at the end of the day, we will never forget about public safety. We want good health for our children.”

Potassium bromate is used as a flour improver and dough conditioner in some baked goods.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified the additive as “highly toxic” and “possibly carcinogenic to humans.” Lab tests in rodents showed the additive produced cancerous kidney tumors, the agency reported. The testing also revealed the additive caused acute poisoning and DNA damage in rats.

Potassium bromate has been used since 1916 in some commercially produced baked goods, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA regulates the additive and allows it under certain conditions.

The agency reviewed it again in 2024, working with the American Bakers Association to ensure safe levels.

“Normal control measures can ensure that bromate residues, when present in final products, are at safe levels,” said Kristi Muldoon-Jacobs, the acting director of the FDA’s Office of Food Additive Safety, in a statement.

“When food manufacturers use potassium bromate properly, it converts to harmless potassium bromide, similar to salt, in the finished food.”
General Mills and Pillsbury did not return a request for comment about the subpoena.