Recently cancer causing agents were found in cake samples by the food regulator of Karnataka. During the crackdown, the state Department of Food Safety and Quality warned local bakeries about selling cakes that contain excessive amounts of artificial colours.

Health officials found 223 of the 235 cake samples safe for consumption, while 12 samples contained cancer-causing ingredients, mostly artificial colors such as Allura Red, Sunset Yellow FCF, Ponceau 4R, tartrazine and carmosin. These colors were present in varieties such as red velvet and black forest.

In a statement, the state food safety and quality regulator said excessive use of artificial colors not only increases the risk of cancer but can also harm mental and physical health.

Food Safety Commissioner Srinivas K also warned bakeries against using harmful chemicals and artificial colors in their cakes, which were added more than their prescribed standard by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

As per FSSAI guidelines, most food colors should contain 100 mg per kg. Alura Red, Sunset Yellow FCF, Ponceau 4R, Tartrazine and Carmoisin should be added to foods at a maximum of 100 mg per kg.

The warning comes after health authorities banned food vendors from adding rhodamine-B to cotton candy and ‘Gobi Manchurian’. Violation of this ban can lead to jail term up to 7 years and fine up to Rs 10 lakh.

Karnataka’s Health Minister wrote, “Consuming snacks containing these artificial colors can pose long-term health risks, including cancer. Therefore, the Health Department has taken this necessary action. I urge the public to give first priority to health and hygiene.” I do.” A post on X in March.

What are artificial food colors?

Artificial food colors are synthetic colors made from chemicals, often derived from petroleum. These are used to enhance the appearance of food and make it more visually appealing.

Common artificial food colors include:

• Allura Red AC (Red 40)
• Tartrazine (Yellow 5)
• Sunset Yellow (Yellow 6)
• brilliant blue (blue 1)
• carmoisine
• Ponceau 4R (Red 7)

These colors have been approved by food safety authorities around the world, including the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and even India’s FSSAI.

However, their long-term health effects remain debated.

Can artificial colors cause cancer?

Chemicals found in food colors are increasingly showing their impact on human health.

Artificial food colors are widely used in a variety of processed foods, from candy and soft drinks to cereals and baked goods. Although these additives make food more appealing, concerns have been raised about their possible link to cancer.

Over the past few years, several studies have examined whether consumption of artificial food colorings may increase cancer risk, with mixed findings.

While no direct link between artificial food colors and cancer has been definitively proven, several studies raise concerns about potential cancer-causing effects, especially at high doses.

For example, some animal studies have linked carmosine to thyroid tumors, leading to a ban on cosmetics, but not food.

Studies in the 1970s found that high doses of certain artificial dyes, such as erythrosin, caused thyroid tumors in rats. This prompted regulatory bodies such as the FDA to restrict its use in certain products.

However, these high-dose animal studies do not directly translate into human exposure because the dyes were used in large quantities that are much lower than human consumption.

One study found that Rad 40 can cause DNA damage in rats, a precursor to cancer. However, regulatory agencies still consider it safe at current use levels based on available evidence.

Tartrazine (Yellow 5) Tartrazine, also known as Yellow 5, has been investigated for potential health risks.

Most human studies have focused on broader health concerns, such as hyperactivity in children, rather than cancer. For example, a 2007 Southampton study suggested that certain artificial colors, including Red 40 and Yellow 5, could cause hyperactive behavior in children, leading to bans in some countries.

However, no direct link between these dyes and cancer in humans has been conclusively proven.

Global health organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), regularly review the safety of food additives, including artificial colors.

The acceptable daily intake (ADI) for RAD 40 has been set by the FDA at 7 mg per kilogram of body weight per day. Based on current research, consumption of artificial food colors within these limits is considered safe for most people.

Should you be concerned?

Although there is some evidence that high doses of artificial food colors can cause cancer in animals, the research on humans is not sufficient. However, excessive consumption of cakes and other baked goods in general may increase the risk of many diseases, including cancer.

Regulatory agencies continue to monitor and evaluate the safety of these additives. Given the rising burden of cancer in India, choosing foods that have fewer artificial chemicals and less sugar can benefit the body.