22% of Karnataka's Pani Puri Fails Safety Standards, Cancer-Causing Agents Found: FSSAI

Bengaluru: Pani Puri, one of India's most beloved street foods, has come under scrutiny for failing to meet safety standards set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). According to reports, the FSSAI Karnataka has found that approximately 22% of Pani Puri samples collected across the state did not meet quality requirements.

Out of 260 pani puri samples tested statewide, 41 were found unsafe due to artificial colors and cancer-causing substances. An additional 18 samples were of poor quality, raising serious concerns about the cleanliness and safety of this popular street food. Chemicals such as Brilliant Blue, Sunset Yellow, and Tartrazine were detected in the samples gathered by department officials.

The food safety officials have recently banned the use of artificial coloring in kebabs, gobi manchurian, and cotton candy in the state. 

Speaking to leading English daily, Srinivas K, Commissioner of Food Safety, confirmed the development and said that the decision to assess the quality of pani puri was made in response to multiple complaints received by the authority.

He said, “Since it is one of the most sought-after chaat items, we received numerous complaints pointing out quality issues in its preparation. From roadside eateries to well-known restaurants, we collected samples from every category of outlets from across the state. The test results have revealed that a substantial number of samples were unfit for consumption.”

Food safety officials are currently reviewing potential actions against violators and considering methods to enforce food safety standards in smaller eateries. "We are examining the findings to gauge the effects of these chemicals. We have also raised the matter with the Health Department," added Srinivas.

Meanwhile, the Food Safety Department is also planning to assess the quality of various other food items following public complaints.