Karnataka bans plastic use in idli preparation after health concerns

Karnataka Food Safety Department found that 52 hotels were using polythene sheets to prepare idlis

Bengaluru: Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Thursday announced a ban on the use of plastic in idli preparation after samples tested positive for carcinogenic elements due to the use of polythene sheets.

He said the Karnataka Food Safety Department found that 52 hotels were using polythene sheets to prepare idlis.

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According to him, polythene, especially thin sheets, is carcinogenic and the government will not allow such practices in the hotel industry.

“The Food Safety Department collected idli samples from 251 places across Karnataka. Earlier, cloth was used for cooking idlis, but we received information that hotels have recently started using plastic. So, our officers conducted inquiries at various locations,” Rao told reporters.

Out of 251 hotels, 52 were found using plastic, the Minister said, adding, “Hoteliers should never have done this because plastic is carcinogenic, meaning it can cause cancer. These carcinogenic elements can enter the idli.”

ಉಪಹಾರ ಕೇಂದ್ರಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ಹೋಟೆಲ್​ಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಇಡ್ಲಿ ಬೇಯಿಸಲು ಪ್ಲಾಸ್ಟಿಕ್ ಬಳಕೆ ಮಾಡಲಾಗುತ್ತಿದ್ದು, ಇದನ್ನು ನಿಷೇಧಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಇನ್ನೇರಡು ದಿನಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಅಧಿಕೃತ ಸುತ್ತೊಲೆ ನೀಡಲಾಗುವುದು. ಈ ಮೊದಲು ಇಡ್ಲಿ ತಯಾರಿಕೆಗೆ ಹತ್ತಿ ಬಟ್ಟೆ ಬಳಕೆ ಮಾಡಲಾಗುತ್ತಿತ್ತು. ಆದರೆ, ಇತ್ತೀಚೆಗೆ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನ ಹೋಟೆಲ್​ಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ಲಾಸ್ಟಿಕ್ ಬಳಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ.… pic.twitter.com/LFGfVmRavU

— Dinesh Gundu Rao/ದಿನೇಶ್ ಗುಂಡೂರಾವ್ (@dineshgrao) February 27, 2025

Noting that action has been initiated, Rao said a clear message will be sent across, and plastic will be banned in the food-making process.

“If anyone continues this practice, it should be brought to our notice,” the Minister said.

Later, in a post on X, Rao stated, “The use of plastic (polythene) in idli preparation has been increasing, posing severe health risks. To safeguard public health, the use of plastic in cooking idlis has been strictly banned. Public health cannot be compromised.”

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

He also emphasised that plastic use in food preparation is a serious public health hazard.

“When plastic is used in idli preparation, toxic chemicals leach into the food, posing serious health risks to consumers. I urge all hotels and food establishments to stop this practice immediately and switch to safer alternatives like stainless steel plates or banana leaves,” he further wrote on X.