Karnataka officials surveyed 251 eateries, finding 52 using plastic sheets for idli preparation. Notices were issued to stop the practice. Experts warn chemicals like BPA and phthalates can cause serious health risks
Published Feb 27, 2025 | 4:29 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 27, 2025 | 4:29 PM
The Ramassery idlly accompanied by the special `podi', Kerala sambar and chutney. Photo by K A Shaji.
Synopsis: Karnataka has raised an alarm over eateries using plastic sheets to steam idlis, a practice linked to cancer-causing chemicals. Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao ordered an immediate crackdown, warning that heating plastic releases harmful toxins, contaminating food. He stressed that while idlis are perceived as healthy, they might be tainted with dangerous chemicals, putting consumers at risk
That soft, steaming idli you grab from a roadside stall might be laced with cancer causing chemicals. The Karnataka government has sounded an alarm after finding out that several eateries are using plastic sheets to steam idlis—an illegal practice that could expose consumers to cancer causing substances.
Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has now ordered an immediate crackdown, warning that when plastic is exposed to heat, it releases harmful toxins that can seep into food. He told media, “people think they are eating something light and healthy, but in reality, they might be ingesting dangerous chemicals.”
Plastic in food preparation is a serious public health hazard. When used in idli making, toxic chemicals from plastic leach into food, increasing health risks for consumers. I urge all hotels and food establishments to immediately stop this practice and adopt safer alternatives… pic.twitter.com/KIs5lgpzVz
— Dinesh Gundu Rao/ದಿನೇಶ್ ಗುಂಡೂರಾವ್ (@dineshgrao) February 27, 2025
According to the minister, a crackdown on some of the eateries and hotels in Karnataka revealed that “plastic sheets are being used to steam idlis instead of the traditional cotton cloth. When exposed to heat, these plastic sheets release toxic, cancer causing chemicals into the food.”
An official order banning use of plastic sheets in preparing idlis in the eateries of all kinds including hotels and restaurants will be issued in the next two days, said Gundu Rao in a post on social media platform X.
The state health department officials and food safety department officials recently cracked down randomly on 251 eateries and surveyed them. They collected idli samples from these locations across Karnataka, of these, 52 were found using plastic sheets during idli preparation. These establishments have been issued notices to cease the hazardous practice immediately.
“Based on the information that some hotels had started using plastic sheets to prepare idli, we did random checks and we found them using plastic. The hoteliers should not have done this as plastic is carcinogenic,” Gundu Rao said.
Experts warn that prolonged exposure to these chemicals—such as bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates–can lead to severe health risks, including hormonal imbalances, metabolic disorders and even cancer. These substances are known endocrine disruptors and have been linked to various health issues.
“This isn’t just about food safety, it’s a public health crisis in the making. There is evidence found of microplastics even entering the womb, so one has to be very careful. They can mess up with hormones as well,” said Dr Abhay G, an endocrinologist from Bengaluru.
Health officials are urging consumers to be cautious when eating at roadside stalls and to demand transparency from eateries. They advised consumers to be vigilant about the materials used in food preparation, especially in roadside eateries where regulatory oversight may be limited. Opting for establishments that adhere to traditional and safe cooking methods can significantly reduce health risks.
In 2024, the Karnataka government banned Rhodamine-B, a food colouring agent used in dishes like gobi manchurian, kebabs, and cotton candy. The ban remains in effect, with violations carrying penalties of up to seven years or life imprisonment, and fines of up to Rs 10 lakh, according to the health minister.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
