Use of sodium dithionite (also known as sodium hydrosulfite or ‘blanket’), a white crystalline powder, is banned in traditional bakeries in Iran, said Health Minister Hassan Qazizadeh Hashemi. “Sodium dithionite is highly dangerous to health, but is sometimes used instead of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) when making traditional Iranian bread,” he said, ISNA reported. Head of the FDA’s Food and Drug Control Laboratories, Hossein Rastegar, also warned that sodium hydrosulfite destroys intestinal villus and antioxidants inside the body. “It is also the cause of cancer and many other problems in the digestive system.” The banned substance should not be used in food products, and violators will face legal action.
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