In an effort to protect public health, the Karnataka health department has implemented a ban on using plastic sheets for steaming idlis in hotels across the state. The move comes amid growing concerns that toxic chemicals from plastic could leach into food, potentially leading to serious health risks, including cancer. Following a recent inspection of 251 hotels and eateries in the state, officials found that 52 establishments were still using plastic sheets for steaming idlis. The Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) launched a week-long initiative to combat this issue, leading to the issuance of directives for hotels, restaurants, and food vendors to immediately cease using plastic sheets. They have been instructed to switch to safer alternatives, such as steel plates or banana leaves, to ensure food safety.
Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao emphasized the importance of public health in a statement on social media, urging all establishments to comply with the new guidelines. He warned that violators would face strict legal actions and reminded the public to report any misuse of plastic in food preparation to protect consumer health.In addition to the crackdown on plastic in food establishments, the Karnataka FSDA has also been active in combating the sale of substandard drugs. In recent months, the department has conducted widespread quality checks on pharmaceutical products, collecting 1,133 drug samples from various sources. Of these, 106 samples failed to meet quality standards, leading to a recall of substandard drugs worth approximately Rs 17 lakh from the market.
The FSDA has also been tackling the illegal sale of narcotic drugs, issuing show-cause notices and suspending licenses of numerous medical shops. In a separate crackdown, a state-wide investigation from February 17 to 19 focused on the illegal sale of antibiotics without valid prescriptions, with legal actions currently underway. Further, authorities have raised concerns about the safety of tattoo inks in the market, highlighting the presence of hazardous heavy metals such as arsenic and chromium. As tattoo inks are not currently regulated under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, the Karnataka government has urged the central government to include them under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to prevent potential health risks such as skin diseases and infections. This multi-faceted approach underscores the state government's commitment to improving public health and safety through stringent regulations and enforcement.