TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has issued a civil subpoena to General Mills as part of an investigation into the supply chain of products containing potassium bromate sold in Florida.
The investigation is being conducted under the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act and focuses on products containing the flour additive, disclosures to purchasers and research concerning its potential health effects.
“This investigation is about protecting Florida families and providing transparency to our consumers,” Uthmeier said in announcing the action.
“Floridians have a right to know what is in the food they buy and feed their children,” he added. “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 was issued to General Mills Inc. and General Mills Operations LLC.
The investigation does not, by itself, establish that General Mills violated Florida law.
What is potassium bromate?
Potassium bromate is used in some flour and bakery applications as a dough strengthener and flour-treating agent.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration identifies potassium bromate as a regulated food substance and lists several technical uses, including as a dough strengthener, flour-treating agent and leavening agent.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified potassium bromate as “possibly carcinogenic to humans,” or Group 2B.
That classification identifies a potential cancer hazard based on the available scientific evidence. It does not mean every exposure causes cancer or establish the level of risk from a particular food product.
The Florida Attorney General’s Office said potassium bromate has been banned as a food additive in the European Union, Canada and several other countries because of health concerns, including evidence of tumors in animal studies.
Subpoena seeks records on products sold in Florida
According to the Attorney General’s Office, the subpoena seeks records identifying General Mills products containing potassium bromate that were sold to purchasers in Florida.
The request specifically identifies several commercial flour products, including Pillsbury Potentate High Gluten Flour, Pillsbury Best Bakers Patent Flour, Gold Medal All Aces Bakery Flour and Gold Medal Superlative Bakers Flour in 50-pound bulk sacks.
Investigators are also seeking information identifying the top Florida purchasers of those products from 2023 through 2026.
The subpoena requests records concerning disclosures provided to purchasers of bromated products or downstream goods made from them.
Uthmeier’s office is also seeking company research on the use of potassium bromate and its potential effects on human safety.
Florida schools included in investigation
The subpoena also seeks information concerning sales of the identified products to Florida schools serving students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.
The Attorney General’s Office did not identify any specific Florida school district or school as having purchased the products.
The subpoena is seeking records to determine whether such sales occurred.
That distinction is important because the investigation remains ongoing and the state’s request for information does not establish that bromated products were supplied to Florida schools.
Investigation focuses on consumer disclosures
Uthmeier’s investigation is being pursued under Florida’s consumer protection law.
The Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act gives the Attorney General’s Office investigative authority in matters involving suspected deceptive or unfair trade practices.
The subpoena focuses in part on what information General Mills provided to purchasers about products containing potassium bromate and any research the company possesses concerning potential health effects.
The Attorney General’s Office described the investigation as part of a broader effort to increase transparency in Florida’s food supply chain.
As of publication, the investigation remains pending. The issuance of a civil subpoena is an investigative step and is not a finding of wrongdoing.
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Sources
- Florida Attorney General’s Office — Potassium bromate investigation
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration — Potassium bromate food substance record
- IARC — Potassium bromate cancer hazard evaluation
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