In a social media post floating online, Chef Fia conducting a fine dining etiquette workshop talks about the age-old tradition of blowing out candles placed on a birthday cake. She highlights the fact that blowing the flame out can come with droplets of spit falling on the surface of the cake, resulting in an unsanitary experience for everyone involved.
Curious, indianexpress.com reached out to experts to understand whether this claim is valid, and what alternatives can be presented.
Shibu Jacob, Corporate F&B Head at Pride Hotels Group, commented that from a food safety and hygiene standpoint, the concern is valid. “Blowing on a cake introduces saliva particles onto its surface, significantly increasing the risk of bacterial contamination. While not all bacteria are harmful, this practice becomes particularly concerning during flu seasons or in large gatherings,” he said.
Jacob shared that he and his team have observed a growing preference for guests extinguishing candles with their hands instead. “A study published in the Journal of Food Research found that blowing out candles can result in a 1,400% increase in bacteria on the cake’s icing compared to untouched icing. Given these findings, it’s time to reconsider this long-standing tradition in the interest of health and hygiene,” he said.
S M Fayaz, Consultant – Internal Medicine, Aster Whitefield Hospital, Bengaluru concurred, sharing that blowing candles spurs on movement of bacteria from your oral cavity to external substances, whether it is cake or anything else. “With rising awareness of viruses in a post COVID era, logically when you blow something, oral flora can land there. This phenomenon has also been backed by several studies,” he said.
Blowing on a cake introduces saliva particles onto its surface (Source: Freepik)
However, Jacob added that in a country like India, fire holds deep spiritual significance and is considered auspicious. It is traditionally believed that it should not be intentionally extinguished. To honour this belief while ensuring hygiene, he recommend using sparkler candles, which light up with radiant sparkles, preserving the sacred essence while enhancing the celebration.
