Karnataka health officials found 223 out of 235 cake samples to be safe for consumption while 12 of them were packed with carcinogenic and chemical elements. Over 12 cake samples in local bakeries in Bangalore were found to contain cancer-causing chemicals owing to artificially-coloured food dyes, according to the Karnataka Food Safety and Quality Department. Bengaluru cake shops have been urged by Karnataka's food safety authority to closely monitor the use of food colourants in their baked goods. Read on to know how these colours can cause cancer and other dangerous health issues.
According to the US FDA, the dyes also lead to serious side effects, like hyperactivity in children, as well as life-threatening allergies. According to the FSSAI guidelines, most of the food colourings should be 100mg per kg. Allura Red, Sunset Yellow FCF, Ponceau 4R, Tartrazine, and Carmoisine should be added to food items with a maximum amount of 100mg per kg.
Earlier, the Karnataka government imposed a ban on the use of certain artificial food colors, including Rhodamine-B, in dishes like cotton candy and gobhi manchurian due to health concerns. Karnataka Health Minister issued a warning that strict action will be taken against sellers found using these banned chemicals.
