Korean Consumer Agency Releases Investigation Results of 15 Custom-Made Cake Products

As the month of May, known as Family Month, approaches, many individuals are expected to order custom-made cakes. However, there is a need for caution as inedible coloring agents have been detected in certain cakes.

On the 7th, the Korean Consumer Agency announced that during their investigation of 15 custom-made cakes advertised on social media, one photo-printed cake (Hajji Cake) was found to contain 'Azorubin.'

Azorubin is a red coloring agent that cannot be used in food, and exposure to mixtures containing azorubin may increase hyperactive behavior in children under the age of 10.

Another photo-printed cake (Bonito Cake) was confirmed to exceed the permissible limit of tartrazine.

Tartrazine, a food additive, is primarily a soluble acidic dye used for its low toxicity. However, excessive consumption can cause hepatotoxicity, thrombocytopenia, and asthma.

All five types of fresh flower cakes included in the investigation contained inedible ornamental flowers directly used as decorations.

According to the current Food Sanitation Act, when decorating cakes with inedible flowers, the stems and leaves of the flowers must be wrapped in plastic or foil to prevent contact with the cake.

No pesticide residues were detected in the investigated cakes; however, one product's decorative flower contained metrafenone (fungicide), azoxystrobin (fungicide), and fluquatemate (insecticide).

Based on the results of this investigation, the Korean Consumer Agency recommended that manufacturers and sellers of fresh flower, photo-printed, and lettering cakes improve the handling methods of inedible decorative flowers and the types and amounts of coloring agents used.

They also announced plans to request the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to conduct safety checks on new types of cake products, such as fresh flower, photo-printed, and lettering cakes.

Image source: Reference photos for better understanding of the article / gettyimagesbank, photo provided by Korean Consumer Agency.