He also makes it sound like only the big chain guys like Domino's and PH are using bromated flours. I'm not sure that is true either.
Chau,
I have been studying the ingredients lists of the major U.S. pizza chains for years, and they do not use bromated flours. This includes Domino's, Papa John's and Pizza Hut (and, I believe, Little Caesars also). They are all national chains and chose not to have to have different practices in California than in the rest of the country. Because of their size and high visibility, they are also constantly under the microscope of users who have concerns over the use of bromates. However, this doesn't stop them from using a lot of other additives and conditioners, especially for doughs that are made and frozen at commissaries for delivery to their stores. Domino's and Pizza Hut use many chemicals in their doughs, far more than they used to when they were smaller. Papa John's uses very few unless they have changed things over the past few years (PJ no longer discloses its ingredients lists, much like Little Caesars). Small pizza operators and regional chains might or might not use bromates. For example, Buddy's Pizza, Papa Gino's, Mellow Mushroom and Hungry Howie's do. Jet's and Home Run Inn do not. While some places might not use bromated flours, they will often use bleached flours.
I question Jeff's statement that about 99% of pizzerias use bromated flours. Pizza Hut, Domino's, Papa John's and Little Caesars alone account for about 27% of all stores in the U.S. Other chains represent about 15% of the pie, and independents represent close to 60%. The four big chains mentioned above account for about 30% of total U.S. pizza sales (about $22B annually). So, that 99% number looks suspect to me.
But, there is little doubt that bromated flours are very prevalent in the pizza business. For example, at the General Mills website, it lists 38 flours in its Pizza flour category that are suitable for pizza. Of those, 17 flours are bromated; 14 are both bleached and bromated; 8 are bleached but not bromated; and 12 are neither bleached nor bromated. I counted five bleached flours with ascorbic acid in lieu of bromates. As one might expect of a big miller like General Mills, with a product for everyone, there a few flours that are just plain flours with nothing added, including bleaching agents, bromates, ascorbic acid, malted barley, or vitamin enrichment.
Peter
