Libya’s Food and Drug Control Center (FDCC) denied that bakeries were selling bread that contained toxic levels of Potassium Bromate. It stressed that the center was launching an intensive campaign on bakeries to ensure their compliance with the general requirements.
In statements to Fawasil news, the Director of the center’s media office, Mohamed Al-Zayat said that the campaign focused on bakeries in most cities of Libya, and is still ongoing.
Al-Zayat explained that inspectors found several violations in bakeries, such as poor hygiene, worn-out equipment, and the presence of workers without health certificates. “There hasn’t been any bakery that uses Potassium Bromate,” he claimed.
Notably, Omran Al-Qeeb, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research issued a statement to Prime Minister Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba regarding the ministry’s laboratories finding the carcinogenic substance in bread, and flour.
“We hope that you will take what you deem appropriate to preserve lives, as this substance threatens the lives of citizens,” he said.
The report revealed the presence of Potassium Bromate being used as a bread improver, in excess quantities, “to the point of carcinogenicity.”
According to the report, the Libyan Advanced Center for Chemical Analysis found large amounts in local bread. The center collected samples from different bakeries, and found an increase of “300-1,300 times the permissible limit.”
The universities of Tripoli and Tobruk analysed samples, and found high concentrations in bread and flour as well.
️ The center, alongside the Tajoura Municipal Guard, collected eight samples, and sent them to a laboratory in Tunisia. The result confirmed the presence of the substance in all samples, in excess proportions.
The Libyan Attorney General, Al-Siddiq Al-Sour formed a special committee to investigate the issue.