The Karnataka Food Safety Department has uncovered that 52 restaurants across the state have been using polythene sheets for steaming idlis, raising serious health concerns. Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao confirmed the findings on Thursday and assured strict action against violators.
According to the minister, using polythene, particularly thin sheets, in food preparation is hazardous as it is carcinogenic and poses a significant health risk. “Food Safety Department officials collected idli samples from 251 locations across Karnataka. Traditionally, cloth was used for steaming idlis, but reports emerged that some hotels had switched to plastic sheets. Based on this information, our officers conducted inspections,” Rao stated.
Following the investigation, 52 restaurants were found guilty of using plastic, prompting concerns over the potential contamination of food. “Hoteliers should never have adopted this practice because plastic is carcinogenic, meaning it can cause cancer. The harmful chemicals from plastic can leach into the idli during cooking,” the minister warned.
The state government has vowed to enforce strict regulations on food safety violations and has initiated action against the offending establishments. “A clear message will be sent across the industry—plastic will not be allowed in food-making processes. If any hotel continues to use it, the public should report it to the authorities,” Rao asserted.
This crackdown is part of Karnataka’s broader efforts to ensure food safety. In 2024, the government banned the food coloring agent Rhodamine-B, which was widely used in dishes such as gobi manchurian and cotton candy.
“We conducted a special drive on gobi manchurian and found that the harmful Rhodamine-B coloring agent was being used. It is a serious health hazard, and we decided to ban its usage. Violators of the government order can face up to seven years or even life imprisonment, along with a fine of up to ₹10 lakh,” Rao stated.
Sources By Agencies
