Karnataka Bans Use Of Plastic In Idli Preparation After Minister Flags Carcinogen Risk

Karnataka Health Minister said that they have tested around 250 different samples of idli from across the state, where plastics were used to cover it while cooking instead of the traditional cloth.

Representational Image | Karnataka banned plastic use in idli preparation after the health minister reported carcinogenic elements in idlis.

After the Karnataka Health Minister raised an alarm about the presence of carcinogenic elements in the idlis, the state government banned the usage of plastic on Thursday while preparing it across all hotels.

Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao claimed on Thursday that the Karnataka Food Safety Department discovered 52 hotels across the state were using polythene sheets in order to prepare idlis. He mentioned that the Health Department tested around 250 different samples of idli from across the state, where plastics were used to cover it while cooking instead of the traditional cloth.

“The department officials collected 251 samples from across the state and sent them for testing. Previously, cloth was used while cooking idli; we got information that these days in some places plastic was being used instead of cloth,” Gundu Rao told India Today.

“Therefore, our department investigated this. Out of the 251 samples, 52 samples tested positive for the use of plastic. This should not be done as plastic has carcinogens and this can get into the idli,” the minister added.

He further added that the health department will soon issue an official directive to ensure the prohibitions of plastic use and take required action against those who will not comply with the rule.