California Bans Potassium Bromate

California passed a state law that bans the use of four food ingredients: Red No. 3, brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate and propylparaben after Jan. 1, 2027.

Potassium bromate, KBrO3, is a dough conditioner and oxidizing agent, according to BAKERpedia. It causes flour maturation and strengthens the gluten network, so it helps with gas retention and product volume. Recently, its use has been reduced and replaced by SSL, CSL, ADA and clean label solutions, such as enzymes and ascorbic acid. The concerns regarding potassium bromate is that it was associated with the use of potassium bromate, mainly its reported  carcinogenicity in laboratory rats. As a consequence, it has been banned in many countries including most members of the European Union.

Legislation originally proposed in California’s House of Representatives also included titanium dioxide among the ingredients to be banned, but the state Senate amended the bill to not include the ingredient.

The new legislation will require California bakers to reformulate recipes with cleaner label ingredients.