The Office of the Attorney General said on Monday that it had confirmed the use of potassium bromate in 27 samples that were analyzed by the German Expertise House, and that 232 cases were recorded for 232 violating bakeries, adding that it has taken measures to see if potassium bromate, which is banned from being imported into the country, was used as an ingredient in some foods.
The Office said in a statement that the Public Prosecution’s first measures were conducting an investigation, such as collecting information, moving to places, seizing things, and hearing everyone for clarifications regarding evidence of a violation of the rules of the system, adding that it had submitted 600 samples of wheat, flour, and other materials used in making bread and pastries.
The Office also requested qualitative and quantitative analysis of the samples to determine the addition of potassium bromate, which is included in the Harmonized System of Commodity Classification.
The German House of Expertise confirmed the use of potassium bromate in flour and bread at unsafe proportions by those in charge of this industry in several municipalities, after examining 27 samples.
The Office indicated that most of the violations are related to the manufacture of food commodities that violate specifications, the lack of health requirements, the lack of health certificates, the handling of foods that are dangerous to public health, and illegally entering the country.
Potassium bromate, which is a very strong oxidizing chemical, is used to enhance bread and for other purposes such as sterilizing water and cosmetics, but after some of its health complications were discovered, its use was prohibited in some countries.