Vijayawada: As the countdown to 2026 begins, food safety officials have sounded an alert, urging people to be cautious while buying cakes, sweets, and other bakery items for celebrations. With demand for festive treats peaking, authorities have warned of strict action against those who compromise on quality to earn a quick buck. New Year celebrations in the city are synonymous with family gatherings, house decorations, and, most importantly, cutting a cake at midnight. From large parties to modest home celebrations, cakes and sweets have become an inseparable part of ringing in the new year. Sensing the surge in demand, temporary cake sellers and roadside stalls mushroom around this time, often operating without proper licences nor meeting hygiene standards.Officials recalled that after the 2025 New Year celebrations, several cases of food poisoning and diarrhoea were reported across hospitals, raising serious concerns about food safety. Determined to prevent a repeat, the Food Safety and Standards Authority has intensified inspections well ahead of Dec 31.With just a few days left for the New Year, food safety teams are inspecting bakery manufacturing units, checking storage conditions, and closely monitoring the quality of ingredients being used. Special focus is on the cream used for cake icing, which is a highly perishable product. Officials have instructed bakeries to clearly display details — such as the date and time of preparation — alongside cakes kept for sale.The use of artificial colours and harmful preservatives has been strictly discouraged, and bakeries have been told to ensure that cakes follow a proper cold chain to maintain freshness. “A New Year special drive will be conducted from Dec 30. Quality standards must be followed in every bakery unit. Cakes should be prepared with utmost care, using fresh cream and quality raw material,” said B Sreenivas, assistant food controller for Krishna and NTR districts.He also appealed to consumers to remain alert while purchasing bakery items and to buy only fresh products. Citizens have been urged to report the sale of substandard cakes or sweets to food safety officials, stressing that public cooperation is crucial to ensure a safe and healthy start to 2026.
