Core Overview

  • Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has issued civil subpoenas to Pillsbury's parent company, General Mills, as part of an investigation into the bread additive potassium bromate.
  • Uthmeier said his office will request documents on products using potassium bromate, materials provided to buyers, safety studies, and information on potential risks to consumers "known to executives at these companies."
  • Potassium bromate is added to flour in many packaged baked goods to strengthen dough and speed up the bread-making process. The ingredient has been linked to cancer in rats at high doses and is banned in California and several other countries.

In-Depth Analysis

Florida's investigation comes as more U.S. states impose ingredient restrictions or bans amid growing consumer concerns over the potential risks of ultra-processed foods.

In 2023, California became the first U.S. state to ban potassium bromate, with the law set to take effect in 2027. New York lawmakers voted in April to ban potassium bromate, but the governor has not yet signed the bill.

The attorney general's investigation could inject new momentum into efforts to ban potassium bromate in Florida—after a related bill failed to gain enough support in the last legislative session. Uthmeier said the investigation will first target General Mills and Pillsbury, then expand to other buyers and sellers of the ingredient.

"This is just the initial phase of the investigation," Uthmeier said at a press conference. "No one is facing litigation at this time."

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) currently allows 0.0075 parts of potassium bromate per 100 parts of flour by weight, equivalent to about 1 teaspoon per 800 cups of flour, according to Michigan State University. After proper heating or baking, most of the potassium bromate disappears from the final product, but a British study found that nearly one-third of packaged breads tested still had detectable levels of the ingredient after baking.

The consumer advocacy group Environmental Working Group has identified more than 200 products containing potassium bromate, such as Gomez flour tortillas and Hanover baked sourdough soft pretzels. The group notes that studies have found the additive can increase the risk of thyroid and kidney cancer in animals.

Potassium bromate is one of the ingredients the FDA plans to review post-market, as the agency reassesses safety data on food additives that may pose risks to public health.

"This investigation is about protecting Florida families and providing transparency for our consumers," Uthmeier said in a statement. "We are investigating the presence of potassium bromate in the supply chain of products sold in our state, including any disclosures made to buyers, as well as research on its potential health effects."