Source: Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has issued a civil subpoena to General Mills Inc. and General Mills Operations LLC as part of an investigation into the supply chain of products containing potassium bromate that are sold in the state.
The investigation is being conducted under the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act and focuses on products containing potassium bromate, a flour improver and dough conditioner used in certain bakery flours. State officials said the inquiry is intended to examine the presence of the ingredient in products sold in Florida, disclosures made to purchasers and research related to its potential health effects.
Potassium bromate is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as possibly carcinogenic to humans. The food additive has been banned in the European Union, Canada, China, India, Brazil, Argentina, South Korea, Peru and several other countries because of health concerns, including evidence of tumors in animal studies.
According to the attorney general's office, the subpoena seeks detailed information on bromated products that reach Florida consumers and schools.
The requested documents include records identifying all General Mills products containing potassium bromate that were sold to purchasers in Florida, including products such as Pillsbury Potentate High Gluten Flour, Pillsbury Best Bakers Patent Flour, Gold Medal All Aces Bakery Flour and Gold Medal Superlative Bakers Flour packaged in 50-pound bulk sacks.
The subpoena also requests information on the company's largest Florida purchasers of those products from 2023 through 2026, disclosures provided to customers purchasing bromated products or foods made from them, research concerning the use of potassium bromate and its potential effects on human safety, and sales of the products to Florida prekindergarten through grade 12 schools.
The attorney general's office said the investigation is part of its efforts to enforce Florida consumer protection laws, increase transparency in the food supply chain and examine potential public health risks associated with potassium bromate.
Source: Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, "Attorney General James Uthmeier Launches Investigation into Potassium Bromate in Florida’s Food Supply Chain"