Beware! Cancer causing chemicals found in Pani Puri in Bengaluru
Beware! Cancer causing chemicals found in Pani Puri in Bengaluru
Food safety officials discover harmful chemicals and stale samples in popular street food, raising health concerns.
The craze for Pani Puri among most of us all is unparalleled. However, recent findings by food safety officials in Karnataka have raised alarming health concerns. It has been revealed that 21% of Pani Puri samples collected across the state failed to meet safety standards, with some found to contain cancer-causing chemicals.
ಕಾಟನ್ ಕ್ಯಾಂಡಿ, ಗೋಬಿ ಹಾಗು ಕಬಾಬ್ ತಯಾರಿಕೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕೃತಕ ಬಣ್ಣಗಳ ಬಳಕೆಯನ್ನು ನಿಷೇಧಿಸಿರುವಂತೆಯೇ ರಾಜ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಮಾರಾಟವಾಗುತ್ತಿರುವ #Panipuri ಮಾದರಿಗಳನ್ನು ಸಂಗ್ರಹಿಸಿ ಪರೀಕ್ಷೆಗೆ ಕಳುಹಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಪಾನಿಪುರಿಯ ಹಲವು ಮಾದರಿಗಳೂ ಸಹ ಆಹಾರ ಸುರಕ್ಷತೆಯ ಪರೀಕ್ಷೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ವಿಫಲವಾಗಿದ್ದು ಇವುಗಳಲ್ಲಿ #Cancer ಕಾರಕ ಅಂಶಗಳಿರುವುದು…
— Dinesh Gundu Rao/ದಿನೇಶ್ ಗುಂಡೂರಾವ್ (@dineshgrao) June 29, 2024
Key Points
• Officials probes cancer-causing agents in pani puri in Karnataka
• 250 samples collected, 40 failed safety standards
• Harmful Chemicals such as brilliant blue, tartrazine and sunset yellow found
The commissioner for food safety commented, “We received numerous complaints about the quality of Pani Puri served on the streets across the state. We collected samples from roadside stalls to decent restaurants from all over Karnataka. Many samples were found in a stale state and unfit for human consumption.”
Testing revealed that chemicals like brilliant blue, sunset yellow, and tartrazine were found. These can potentially cause various health issues.
According to reports, out of 250 collected samples, artificial colours and carcinogenic agents were found in 40 samples. Additionally, 18 samples were also found unfit for human consumption, due to poor hygiene and safety standards.
“More analysis is being done, and after the test report, the health department will take appropriate action. Meanwhile, the public should take special care of their health and refrain from consuming food items that affect our health. Great importance should be given to cleanliness and hygiene,” the commissioner added.
Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has assured that the department will take stringent action and measures to ensure public health. In an effort to raise awareness about hygiene and best cooking practices, Minister Rao will plan meeting with food makers.
To be noted that, the Karnataka government earlier had banned the food colouring agent Rhodamine-B. This was being widely used in dishes such as gobi manchurian and cotton candy.
Addressing the issue, Minister Rao stated, “Food safety in the state is our priority, and we will be inspecting more dishes to find out what colouring agents are being used. People should be aware of what kind of food items they are consuming and what goes into them. Restaurant owners must also be responsible enough to maintain hygiene. Otherwise, strict action will be taken.”
Similarly the Tamil Nadu government banned the sale and consumption of cotton candy after discovering harmful Rhodamine-B and textile dye in samples.
