Potassium bromate
This page explains what Potassium bromate is, where it shows up in restaurant food, and which restaurant menus list it.
- Concern
- High
- Function
- Dough improver
What this is
Potassium bromate is an oxidizing additive sometimes used to “condition” flour for commercial bread products, including some buns and rolls used in fast food. It can improve dough strength and oven rise. Baking is intended to convert bromate to bromide, but small residual amounts can remain if baking conditions aren’t well controlled. Because it caused tumors in animals and is classified as a possible human carcinogen, some places prohibit it, and California will ban it in foods starting in 2027. In the U.S., it can still be used within specified limits, so ingredient labels are the best way to spot it.
Safety Review
The health areas reviewed when evaluating an ingredient. This does not mean the ingredient is proven to cause harm.
Restaurant Usage
0 restaurants
Restaurants will appear here when their published menu information lists this ingredient.
State Policies
0 state policies
No current state policy is listed for this ingredient.
Federal Policies
0 federal policies
No current federal policy is listed for this ingredient.
Sources
8 sources