After Nestle now Jubilant Food works under the scanner

It’s almost a year, when the FSSAI (Food Safety and Standard Authority of India) detected a impermissible amount of MSG/Glutamic Acid in the famous snack of Nestle, Maggi. A year later it is CSE, (Centre for Science and Environment) which has detected high amount of potassium bromate and iodate in Jubilant Foodworks' popular pizza chain-Dominos.

Pollution Monitoring Laboratory (PML) of CSE (Centre for Science and Environment) tested 38 commonly available branded varieties of pre-packaged bread, pav and buns, and the bread used in burgers and pizzas at popular fast food outlets in Delhi.

The study conducted by CSE has found that Eighty-four per cent of bread and bakery samples tested have presence of two prominent chemicals - potassium bromate (KBrO3) and potassium iodate (KIO3). Both are used as flour “improvers”  which make the bread softer and fluffier.

The shares of Jubilant Foodworks on Tuesday have tumbled over 9 per cent and are trading at Rs 1,012.90, after falling to as much as Rs 975 in early trades, down over 12 per cent.

Similarly, shares of Westlife Development cracked 9% to a low of Rs 200.

Britannia Industries also came under selling pressure and lost nearly 2 per cent to Rs 2,630 after falling to a low of Rs 2,611.20.

Both the chemicals were disapproved by the WHO-FAO joint committee way back in 1968. Excessive intake of iodine can lead to thyroid malfunction and even thyroid cancer.

Jubilant foodworks on the issue has issued a statement that they only use ingredients duly approved under the FSSAI. The flour used by them is not treated with Potassium Bromate/Potassium Iodate. They also ask for a certificate of undertaking from their flour suppliers that there is no usage of Potassium Bromate/Potassium Iodate in the flour which is processed and used.