BENGALURU: After conducting tests on 235 cake samples across Karnataka, the Food Safety and Quality Department found carcinogenic ingredients in 12 of them.
Popular varieties, such as red velvet and black forest, were among the 12 cake samples found to contain cancer-causing agents.
Food Safety Commissioner Srinivas K has advised bakeries to exercise caution, warning them against using harmful chemicals and colouring agents in cakes.
"Tests conducted on 235 samples from bakeries across the State revealed that these varieties had artificial colours like Allura Red, Sunset Yellow FCF, Ponceau 4R, Tartrazine, and Carmoisine exceeding the prescribed limits," the commissioner said.
This warning comes after the Food Safety Department banned artificial colours in dishes like gobi manchurian, kebabs, and pani puri sauces. The department also recently cracked down on outlets selling shawarma prepared in unhygienic conditions across the State.
In August, the department tested 221 paneer samples and 65 khova samples from across the State, finding one substandard sample from each product. In September, inspections were carried out at 142 food outlets in railway stations and 35 hotels at major tourist spots to ensure compliance with regulations.
Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said that bakeries and other outlets found using harmful colouring agents in their products have been warned to adhere to food safety and quality standards.
He emphasized that the use of such additives is prohibited under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products, Standards, and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, due to the significant health risks they pose to consumers. “Strict action will be taken against those who fail to comply with the regulations,” he added.