The country's food regulator has recommended to the health ministry that potassium bromate be removed from the list of permissible additives. The move to drop the additive from the list comes after a study by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) suggested presence of potassium bromate, which has been identified as a possible carcinogen by the World Health Organisation, in 84 per cent of 38 commonly available pre-packaged breads and ready-to-eat pizzas.

FSSAI CEO Pawan Kumar Agarwal said, adding that it would be banned after it is removed from the permissible additives list.

"Potassium bromate is one of 11,000 additives allowed in food business. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has decided to remove potassium bromate from the list of permissible additives"