Karnataka’s beloved idli, a staple breakfast dish, has come under scrutiny after the state’s Food Safety Department discovered that some hotels use plastic sheets in its preparation, potentially leading to cancer risks. Inspections across the state revealed that 52 out of 500 idli samples tested contained harmful chemicals linked to cancer. Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has announced plans to consider a ban on plastic use in food preparation and has initiated strict action against offending hotels.
Traditionally, idlis are wrapped in clean cotton cloths to retain their freshness. However, some hotels and eateries have been using plastic sheets, which release toxic chemicals when exposed to hot idlis. These chemicals can seep into the food, making it unsafe for consumption. The Food Safety Department has flagged this practice as a serious health hazard and is conducting awareness campaigns to discourage the use of plastic in food production.
To ensure safe and nutritious idlis, the department recommends:
Avoiding plastic steamers, molds, or sheets. Use stainless steel or ceramic utensils instead.
Allowing the batter to ferment naturally for at least 12 hours for better digestion.
Avoiding overcooking or undercooking idlis.
Refraining from using artificial fermenting agents like Eno or soda.
The Karnataka government is taking stringent measures to curb this unsafe practice, emphasizing the importance of healthy and safe food preparation methods.
