Is Potassium Bromate Banned?
In California it will be, from January 1, 2027. The California Food Safety Act, AB 418, bars manufacturing, selling, delivering, distributing, holding or offering for sale food products containing brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben or Red Dye 3, starting on that date.
IARC found inadequate evidence in humans and sufficient evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of potassium bromate, and classified it as possibly carcinogenic to humans, Group 2B. The FDA lists potassium bromate among select chemicals in the food supply under its review, and says it worked with the American Bakers Association to help industry improve baking technology and testing so that the ingredient is used in a way that minimizes residual bromate levels.
The FDA has already acted on brominated vegetable oil. It revoked the regulation authorizing BVO in food, saying the intended use is no longer considered safe after studies conducted with the National Institutes of Health found the potential for adverse health effects in humans. The rule took effect August 2, 2024, with a compliance date one year later to give companies time to reformulate, relabel and use up inventory.
Sources checked September 15, 2026. Every point below links the page it came from.
The sources behind this answer
- Regulatory filingCalifornia Health and Safety Code section 109025, added by AB 418, bars food products containing brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben or red dye 3 commencing January 1, 2027. California Legislature, AB 418 ↗
- Government sourceIARC found inadequate evidence in humans and sufficient evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of potassium bromate, and classified it as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B). IARC Monographs Volume 73, via IPCS INCHEM ↗
- Government sourceOn its list of select chemicals in the food supply under review, the FDA says it worked with the American Bakers Association so that potassium bromate is used in a way that minimizes residual bromate levels. US FDA ↗
- Regulatory filingThe FDA revoked the regulation authorizing brominated vegetable oil in food, concluding its intended use is no longer considered safe after studies with the National Institutes of Health found the potential for adverse health effects in humans. US FDA ↗
- Regulatory filingThe FDA’s final rule revoking brominated vegetable oil took effect August 2, 2024, with a compliance date one year after the effective date. Federal Register ↗
Sources checked September 15, 2026. A brand statement is the company’s own claim, which we report but have not verified. Our grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests.