The Karnataka government prohibited the use of plastic in the preparation of idlis across all hotels in the state after Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao flagged the presence of carcinogenic elements.
The decision to ban plastic comes after the Karnataka Food Safety Department found that polythene sheets were being used to prepare idlis in over 50 hotels across the state.
Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Thursday stated that the Health Department tested 250 different samples of idli from across the state for the use of plastic to cover the idlis while cooking. Traditionally, cloth material is used to cover the food.
Karnataka Health Minister told the media, “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.”
“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,” he added.
The Minister informed that the Health Department would soon issue official orders curbing the use of plastic in idli preparation.
Action will be taken on establishments found violating the government order by using plastic sheets, he said.
