Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has issued a civil subpoena to General Mills, Inc. and General Mills Operations, LLC, launching an investigation into the supply chain of products containing potassium bromate sold within the state.

Potassium Bromate Concerns

The state is conducting the probe under the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. According to officials, the investigation focuses on the presence of the chemical compound in food products, disclosures made to buyers, and research regarding potential health effects.

Potassium bromate is commonly used as a flour improver and dough conditioner in specific bakery flours. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies the compound as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.”

Due to health concerns and evidence of tumors in animal studies, the chemical has been banned as a food additive in the European Union since 1990, Canada since 1994, China since 2005, and India since 2016, as well as in Brazil, Argentina, South Korea, and Peru.

“This investigation is about protecting Florida families and providing transparency to our consumers,” Uthmeier said in a statement. “Floridians have a right to know what is in the food they buy and feed their children. We are investigating the supply chain for the presence of potassium bromate in products sold across our state, including any disclosures made to purchasers and research on its potential health effects.”

The subpoena requires General Mills to produce comprehensive documentation regarding its bromated products that reach Florida consumers and schools.

Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.