trix

Bromated flour has been banned in much of the world, but remains
available in the United States.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flour
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium_bromate
---------------

Potassium bromate is an additive used to strengthen bread dough. But
the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has known since 1982 that it
can cause tumors of the kidney, thyroid, and other organs in animals.
In July, CSPI petitioned the FDA to ban bromate.

“In 1992 and again in 1998, the FDA found baked goods that had
bromate at levels the agency considers unsafe,” said CSPI attorney
Darren Mitchell. “But instead of banning the additive, as the United
Kingdom and Canada have done, the FDA has tried—with only partial
success—to get bakers to voluntarily stop using it.”

To avoid packaged foods that contain bromate, look for “potassium
bromate” or “bromated flour” in the ingredient list. Some brands that
still use it: Home Pride, Martin’s, Schmidt, Sunbeam, TastyKake,
Wonder, and Boston Market (in its French sandwich bread).
http://www.cspinet.org/nah/10_99/cspinews.html
------------------

Many bakers, including Best Foods, Inc. (maker of Arnold,
Entenmann’s, and Orowheat brand breads and rolls), Pepperidge Farm,
and Pillsbury, have switched to bromate-free processes. Also, some
supermarket chains, including Giant, Jewel, Ralph’s, and Von’s, do not
use bromate.

In contrast, Interstate Brands Corp. (Wonder, Home Pride),
Schmidt Baking Co. (Schmidt, Sunbeam), Tasty Baking Co. (TastyKake),
and Martin’s still use potassium bromate in some of their products.
Among fast-food chains, Burger King, Arby’s, and Wendy’s use bromate
in buns, and Boston Market uses it in its french sandwich bread.

CSPI advises consumers to avoid bread, rolls, doughnuts, and
cakes that list “potassium bromate” or “bromated flour” among their
ingredients. FDA’s limited surveys found that rolls and buns are
especially likely to contain high levels of bromate.
http://www.commondreams.org/pressreleases/july99/071999b.htm

dick adams

available in the United States.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flour
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium_bromate

Trixy's point is well taken. It is absolutely true that potassium bromate
is known to be a chemical. Fear of chemicals is well founded, because
most people do not have any idea what they are. Consider, for instance,
the chemicals used make bleached white flour:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flour_bleaching_agents

mary fisher

"Trix" <trixpoe@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:c3de3648-dd47-4fd0-b59d-7dfcfab74b68@b1g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...
Bromated flour has been banned in much of the world, but remains
available in the United States.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flour
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium_bromate

Trixy's point is well taken. It is absolutely true that potassium bromate
is known to be a chemical. Fear of chemicals is well founded, because
most people do not have any idea what they are. Consider, for instance,
the chemicals used make bleached white flour:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flour_bleaching_agents

But bromates are listed as ingredients, are bleaching agents?

Mary

dick adams

It is supposed that no residues of bleaching agents exist in the
flour one buys.

I gamble that no residues of bromate exist in my bread when
it comes time to eat it. There is published evidence that bromate
does not survive baking, but who can you actually believe?

For that risk, I get superior loaves.

--
Dicky

trix

Dicky said,

I was just trying to look out for you, Dicky, knowing you make a habit
of using bromated flour.

I don't buy bleached or bromated flour.

Your loaves do get more billowy than mine and a bit more nicely
browned....but that is ok. My sourdough bread baking skills keep
improving, not in a small part from this newsgroup, even though I do
have some off days.

I have been enjoying the use of my Carl's starter: it is a good one.
I still use my homemade rye starter too.
They are quite different from each other.


Trix