Kalaburagi (Karnataka) [India], March 1 (ANI): The Karnataka government has banned the use of plastic in preparing idlis across all hotels in the state after the Health Minister flagged the presence of 'toxic chemicals.'

Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao posted on X and said that the use of plastic, which is harmful to health, in the preparation of idli will cause serious health problems.

'This has been confirmed in a test conducted by the Food and Safety Department, and the use of plastic for the preparation of idli in hotels and restaurants has been banned,' he said.

'Our Health Department has banned the use of plastic sheets for steaming idlis in hotels across Karnataka. Toxic chemicals from plastic can leach into food, posing serious health risks, including cancer,' Rao added.

The Health Minister asserted that strict action would be taken against violators in this regard.

'Hotels must immediately stop using plastic and switch to safer alternatives like steel plates or banana leaves. Strict action will be taken against violators; public health is non-negotiable! If you spot plastic being used in food preparation, report it! Let's ensure safe, healthy food for all,' Gundu Rao posted on X.

Reacting to this, the President of Karnataka State Hotels Association, GK Shetty said that he has conveyed to all association members about the plastic ban.

'The plastic ban has been going on. Our government and our department are also doing the follow-up on this. I have already told my association members across the state that plastic should not be used. Earlier, we used to make idli with cloth, now we use nonstick utensils. They can be used but plastic should not be used for making idli. We conduct meetings of our association every month to deal with the issues,' Shetty told ANI.

General Secretary of Karnataka Hotel Owners Association, M V Raghavendra Rao emphasised that no hoteliers are using plastic in their hotels across the state.

'Only the roadside food vendors are using plastic. We are trying to restrict the use of plastic there also and it will be completely restricted by the next month. We are conducting meetings every month,' he said. (ANI)