Tallahassee, Fla. - A civil investigative subpoena was issued by Attorney General James Uthmeier to Performance Food Group, Inc., expanding the investigation into the presence of potassium bromate in Florida’s food supply.
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The subpoena requires Performance Food Group Inc. to provide records from distribution centers, indicating which food products containing specific bromated flours were sold and to whom.
Potassium bromate is used to create a more elastic dough and make bread rise higher. According to The International Agency for Research on Cancer, it is considered to be “possibly carcinogenic to humans.” It is linked to tumors in the kidneys, thyroid, and more.
The use of potassium bromate is prohibited across The European Union, Canada, China, India, Brazil and several other countries. However, certain uses are still permitted in the United States.
Uthmeier gave a press conference on October 16th, joined by Dr. Danny Cohen, M.D. and founder of the Urology Center of Winter Park, Dr. Christine Zanka with the Florida Department of Health, Michelle Archival, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Covenant Journey Academy and Crystal Cassidy, a “former nurse and a concerned mother.”
Uthmeier commented on the need for transparency in Florida’s food supply,
“I think that citizens, families, especially people with kids and students, deserve to know what is in their food. And if there are harmful chemicals, if there are things that might be tied to carcinogens, to cancer, then we need to know what it is,” Uthmeier said.
Cohen expressed his support for the investigation as a physician.
“As a surgeon, I cannot uncause a cancer. I can only try to cut it out after it has already taken hold...That is why I stand in support of this investigation. Floridians have a right to know what is in their food and a right to a food supply that does not quietly raise their risk of cancer,” Cohen said.
The investigation into Performance Food Group Inc. follows a previous subpoena issued to General Mills Inc., as part of an inquiry under the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, requesting documents showing which General Mills products containing potassium bromate reached Florida consumers.
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This includes specific items such as Pillsbury Potentate High Gluten Flour, Pillsbury Best Bakers Patent Flour, Gold Medal All Aces Bakery Flour and Gold Medal Superlative Bakers Flour.
Sara Lee and Pepperidge Farms, two popular bread manufacturers, have both maintained that they do not use potassium bromate in their products. Bimbo Bakeries, parent company to Sara Lee, provided a statement to WDBO.
“Bimbo Bakeries USA does not use potassium bromate in any of our products. We are committed to maintaining high quality and food safety standards across our portfolio and complying with all applicable food safety regulations.”
Performance Food Group Inc. is to provide the requested records by Nov. 6.
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