Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has launched an investigation into the sale and distribution of food products containing potassium bromate, a chemical additive used in some commercial baking flours.
Uthmeier’s office issued a civil subpoena to General Mills, Inc. and General Mills Operations, LLC, seeking records related to bromated products sold to consumers, businesses and schools in Florida.
The investigation is being conducted under the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act and will examine the company’s supply chain, product disclosures and research concerning the additive’s potential health effects.
“This investigation is about protecting Florida families and providing transparency to our consumers,” Uthmeier said. “Floridians have a right to know what is in the food they buy and feed their children.”
Potassium bromate is commonly used as a flour improver and dough conditioner in certain bakery products. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified the substance as possibly carcinogenic to humans, based in part on evidence from animal studies.
The additive has been prohibited or restricted in numerous countries, including Canada, China, India and members of the European Union.
According to the attorney general’s office, the subpoena seeks documents identifying all General Mills products containing potassium bromate that were sold in Florida. Products specifically named include Pillsbury Potentate High Gluten Flour, Pillsbury Best Bakers Patent Flour, Gold Medal All Aces Bakery Flour and Gold Medal Superlative Bakers Flour.
The state is also requesting information about the company’s largest Florida purchasers of those products from 2023 through 2026, along with any disclosures provided to buyers or businesses using the flour in downstream food products.
Investigators are seeking General Mills’ research on the use of potassium bromate and its possible effects on human health. The subpoena also requests records showing whether products containing the additive were sold to Florida schools serving students from prekindergarten through 12th grade.
The issuance of a subpoena does not establish that General Mills violated Florida law. The investigation will determine whether the company’s sales or disclosure practices violated the state’s consumer-protection statutes.
