Disha Tandon, Pune
The Karnataka Food Safety and Quality Department has issued an alert to consumers on the availability of cakes in local bakeries with alarming amounts of carcinogenic agents after testing around 235 samples of cake across the state. Carcinogenic agents were found in 12 samples.
Recently conducted research revealed that cakes prepared in various bakeries contained artificial colors, which increases the chances of carcinoma. Food Safety Commissioner Srinivas K said that twelve types of cakes were contaminated with five synthetic dyes named Allura Red, Sunset Yellow FCF, Ponso 4R, Tartrazine, and Carmoisine respectively. These colorants are used in preparing colorful cakes, but health scientists have expressed severe warnings about long-term results on consumers’ health.
The Karnataka Food Safety and Quality Department requested all bakeries to keep their food items according to set food safety standards; such harmful additions can cause cancer in addition to other potential physical and mental health risks. Some consumers continue questioning the possibilities of health implications of these confections.
It comes at a time when a series of concerns on food safety in the state of Karnataka have been raised. This issue came to light after the Food Safety Department banned the use of artificial colors in gobi manchurian, pani puri sauces and kebabs. Outlets selling shawarma too faced a crackdown by the department after it was found out that it is being prepared in unhygienic conditions.
Roughly 221 samples of paneer and 65 samples of khova had been collected and it was discovered that one sample from each of these dairy products was of substandard quality. Early this year, the state banned Rhodamine-B, a chemical which is normally used in dyeing processes in textile industry and in making paper, after it was found to be present in street foods like gobi manchurian.
Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said that the government is serious about food safety and won’t think twice about taking stern action against any institution found violating these set regulations. He added that business houses need to look at the health value rather than aesthetic value of the product they are selling. This is in alignment with the ongoing efforts by the government in the arena of protecting public health against a growing concern over food safety.
The warning is important for the protection of public health, decreed by the Karnataka Food Safety and Quality Department, and emphasized that safety standards for food are an essential constituent of society.