HR0212 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0212 LRB096 12047 RPM 23963 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Some commercial bakers utilize potassium bromate because it yields dependable results; and

WHEREAS, Potassium bromate is used as an oxidizer in flour to strengthen dough, allowing for higher rising; and

WHEREAS, The dough becomes stronger and more elastic, allowing it to better withstand commercial baking processes; and

WHEREAS, Potassium bromate is an oxidizing agent and is completely used up in the baking process if used responsibly in the course of good manufacturing practices; and

WHEREAS, If too much potassium bromate is used or the bread is not cooked long enough or at a high enough temperature, then trace amounts may remain; and

WHEREAS, Some studies have suggested that potassium bromate, when consumed over a period of time, may be a carcinogen; and

WHEREAS, Some countries have banned the use of potassium bromate; and

WHEREAS, Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not found that potassium bromate is a carcinogen, the FDA does encourage entities utilizing potassium bromate in baking processes to do so responsibly and to list it in the product legend; and

WHEREAS, Many food manufacturers have switched from potassium bromate to some alternative; and

WHEREAS, The House of Representatives recognizes that the substitution of ingredients in the processing of food products can rarely be immediate and must be carefully taken so as not to change the taste of the food and ensure that adequate and affordable substitutes are readily available; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we strongly encourage food manufacturers that use potassium bromate to do so responsibly through good manufacturing practices and to label it in their product ingredient legends and to consider alternatives to potassium bromate in commercial baking processes; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be delivered to the Illinois Manufacturers Association, Illinois State Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Retail Merchants Association, Illinois Restaurant Association, National Federation of Independent Business, Board of Higher Education, State Board of Education, and Illinois Association of School Boards; and that we request that these entities share this resolution with their constituencies and their suppliers.