Next time you bite into a soft, steaming idli at your favorite eatery, you might want to ask—what was it steamed on? Traditionally, cotton cloth or banana leaves have been used in idli preparation. However, a recent crackdown by Karnataka’s Food Safety Department has revealed a shocking trend: plastic sheets are being used instead, sparking health concerns.
Acting on a tip-off, officials inspected 251 hotels and eateries across the state. Of them, 52 eateries were found to be using plastic sheets. The reason? Plastic is cheaper and reportedly more convenient.
The Food Safety Department launched a week-long drive to tackle this plastic menace following concerns that toxic chemicals from plastic can leach into food when exposed to heat. “Plastic in food preparation is a serious public health hazard,” said Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao.
“I urge all hotels and food establishments to immediately stop this practice and adopt safer alternatives like stainless steel plates or banana leaves. Public health cannot be compromised,” he said.
An official circular reinforcing the plastic ban is likely to be issued within two days. Two establishments have already been fined for violating food safety standards, according to reports.
