Potassium bromate, a chemical linked to cancer, has been banned in over 40 countries as it has been classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans. Despite this, the FDA in the United States has not reviewed the use of this compound in bread products since 1973. The additive is used in American bread to strengthen gluten and promote a lighter texture when baking, but concerns arise when it does not fully break down during the process, leaving residues that can be harmful.

While many countries have banned potassium bromate based on the precautionary principle, the FDA in the US continues to permit its use at certain levels. Alternative ingredients that are safer and more natural exist for bread-making, but the use of potassium bromate persists in many American bread products. Efforts are being made at the state level in the US to ban this ingredient, with California being the first to pass such a law in 2023. Consumer awareness, reading labels, and choosing products that are explicitly labeled as bromate-free can help avoid this potentially harmful ingredient in bread.