Karnataka issues warning after cancer-causing agents found in 12 bakery cakes

Several carcinogenic substances were found in 12 cake samples collected from several Bengaluru bakeries, the Karnataka Food Safety and Quality Department said while cautioning people about the popular dessert.

In Short

• Carcinogenic substances found in cake samples collected from Bengaluru bakeries
• Karnataka directs bakeries to regulate use of artifical colours in cakes
• Artificial colours may also harm mental and physical health

After several cancer-causing ingredients were found in 12 cake samples, the Karnataka government issued an advisory about the potential health risks associated with the popular dessert.

The advisory came months after Karnataka banned the use of artificial food colours, including Rhodamine-B, in cotton candy and gobi manchurian due to health concerns.

In a statement, the Karnataka Food Safety and Quality Department said that several carcinogenic substances were found in 12 cake samples collected from bakeries in Bengaluru.

According to the details, out of 235 cake samples tested by the state government, 223 were found safe, while 12 contained dangerous levels of artificial colouring.

Popular cake varieties like red velvet and black forest, often made with these vibrant colours, pose significant health risks, Karnataka's food safety department said.

The government body has now directed bakeries to comply with safety standards, warning against the use of artificial colours in cakes, such as Allura Red, Sunset Yellow FCF, Ponceau 4R, Tartrazine, and Carmoisine, among others.

The high use of artificial colours not only increases cancer risks but may also harm mental and physical health, the Karnataka Food Safety and Quality Department said in its statement.