Are Your Favorite Cakes Dangerous? Cancer-Causing Agents Detected In 12 Bengaluru Varieties

Bengaluru: The Karnataka Food Safety and Quality Department has issued a critical warning regarding the use of potentially carcinogenic ingredients in cakes prepared by bakeries in the state.

The department's alert follows after tests conducted by the department revealed that 12 different types of cakes from various bakeries in Bengaluru contain these harmful agents, as reported by the Karnataka daily Vijayavani.

Artificial Colours Used In Cake Heightens Cancer Risk, Study reveals

In light of these findings, the department is urging bakeries to adhere to food safety and quality standards. They emphasize that these artificial colors not only heighten cancer risk but may also lead to various physical and mental health issues.

This troubling news has raised alarms among cake enthusiasts, particularly regarding popular varieties like red velvet and black forest cakes, which are often made with visually striking artificial colors that pose significant health threats.

Tests have identified the presence of artificial colors such as Allura Red, Sunset Yellow FCF, Ponso 4R, Tartrazine, and Carmoisine in cakes. 

Earlier this year, the Karnataka government prohibited the use of Rhodamine-B, a food coloring agent often found in popular items like gobi manchurian and cotton candy. Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao stated that strict measures would be enforced against sellers using these harmful chemicals in their establishments.

Rhodamine-B, primarily used in textile dyeing and the paper industry, was reportedly used in gobi manchurian to enhance its visual appeal. The Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations of 2011 prohibit the use of artificial or synthetic colors beyond established limits in the production of cotton candy.

According to Section 16 of the regulations, the use of any artificial food coloring is banned in the production of gobi manchurian.