Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao announced that 54 individuals across the state had been penalized for using plastic in the preparation of idlis, a practice deemed hazardous due to the carcinogenic risks associated with plastic. The Department of Food Safety & Standards collected over 250 samples from various hotels to ensure compliance with food safety regulations. Inspections found that 52 hotels were using plastic, such as polythene sheets, during the steaming process, replacing traditional methods like cotton cloth or banana leaves. The health minister emphasized that plastic is a carcinogenic material that can leach harmful chemicals into food when exposed to heat, making it unsafe for consumption.
Karnataka Cracks Down on Plastic in Idli Preparation for Food Safety
As a response, the state government has taken strict action, imposing fines and halting the harmful practice. This initiative is part of the broader efforts to enforce food safety standards in Karnataka, with a focus on educating both food industry workers and consumers about the dangers of using plastic in cooking. The government aims to raise awareness about the risks posed by carcinogenic materials, particularly in food preparation.
The decision to crack down on plastic use in idli preparation followed inspections by the Food Safety Department, which raised alarms about the potential cancer risk. The state’s commitment to enforcing traditional methods of cooking, like using cloth or banana leaves for steaming, aims to safeguard public health. By taking swift action against those violating the rules and promoting safe food preparation practices, Karnataka is setting a strong example for the food industry in prioritizing consumer health and safety. This ban underscores the importance of adhering to food safety guidelines and protecting public health from harmful practices.
