Acting on the instructions of Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T. Khader, a team led by Dakshina Kannada District Food Safety Designated Officer Dr Praveen Kumar CH inspected franchise outlets selling cakes and ice creams from cloud kitchens in Surathkal, as well as centralised cake manufacturing units.
The inspections were carried out in the Surathkal jurisdiction. The officials went to outlets that sell cakes and ice creams made by local manufacturers and also checked centralised cake manufacturing units.
During the inspection drive, officials warned manufacturers against using harmful artificial colours to enhance the visual appeal of cakes. The team also told the units to follow the rules on food safety and hygiene.
The food safety team also conducted surprise inspections at local hotels to check kitchen cleanliness and hygiene. Samples of raw materials and ingredients used in food preparation were collected and sent for laboratory testing.
Notices were issued to establishments found failing to maintain the required hygiene standards.
What the drive covered
The inspection drive covered the full chain of how cakes and sweets reach customers in the district.
The focus was on artificial colours. Manufacturers sometimes add colours to make cakes look more attractive, but excessive or unapproved colours can pose health risks. The samples collected during the drive will show whether the colours used in cakes, sweets and ice creams are within permitted limits.
Cake samples collected during the drive have been sent for laboratory analysis. The results will show whether the products are safe for consumption. Officials said samples of raw materials and ingredients used in food preparation were also collected and sent for laboratory testing.
Warnings to manufacturers
Officials warned manufacturers against using harmful artificial colours to enhance the visual appeal of cakes. They were also told to follow the rules on food safety and hygiene. The inspections covered cloud kitchens, centralised cake manufacturing units, franchise outlets and sweet-making units.
The warning is part of a wider push on food safety in the district. Cloud kitchens and centralised units supply food to many outlets, so a lapse in one unit can affect many customers. The department wants to keep that supply chain safe.
The inspections in Surathkal are not a one-off drive. The food safety department has been stepping up checks on food businesses across Dakshina Kannada and is acting on the instructions of the Health Minister, U.T. Khader.
Hotels also checked
The food safety team also conducted surprise inspections at local hotels to check kitchen cleanliness and hygiene. Samples of raw materials and ingredients used in food preparation were collected and sent for laboratory testing.
Hotel kitchens are checked for cleanliness, storage of raw materials, and the quality of ingredients. The inspection teams look at how food is prepared and whether the premises meet the required standards.
Notices were issued to establishments found failing to maintain the required hygiene standards. A notice is the first step, and establishments that do not improve can face stronger action.
What happens next
The laboratory results for the cake samples and the hotel ingredients will decide the next steps. If the results show problems, the department can take action against the units concerned.
For customers, the drive is a reminder to be careful about where they buy cakes and sweets, especially from outlets that sell products made by cloud kitchens. Checking the label and buying from reputed outlets can help.
The food safety department has said the inspections will continue, and the message to manufacturers is clear: use safe ingredients, follow the rules, and do not use artificial colours that can harm consumers.
