After Bengaluru, Pani Puri Stalls Come Under Scanner In Chennai

In response to alarming findings of cancer-causing substances in pani puri samples from Karnataka, the Tamil Nadu food safety department has launched a rigorous inspection campaign across Chennai, DTNext reported.

The development comes after 22 percent of samples from Karnataka failed safety standards, prompting immediate action. Pani puri is a popular roadside snack.

The report claims that 100 stalls selling pani puri have come under scanner. Samples collected are undergoing thorough biological and chemical analysis to detect any harmful ingredients, stated Dr P Satheesh Kumar, the designated food safety officer. Results will dictate subsequent regulatory actions to ensure public safety.

"The masalas being used in pani puri can contain harmful agents and we have found that some of the stalls even use colours in the water being served along with the puri. The public should be cautious when eating snacks from such roadside stalls. We always immediately instruct food vendors to remove their carts from places that are not safe or hygienic," the publication quoted a food safety official from Thiruvallur as saying.

Experts say that besides the potential carcinogens found in the food itself, the unhygienic conditions prevalent in roadside stalls pose significant health risks. They highlight concerns over the use of contaminated masalas and colored water in pani puri preparation, urging caution among consumers.

"The public should exercise caution when consuming snacks from such stalls," warned a food safety official from Thiruvallur. "We are actively enforcing removal of carts from unsafe and unhygienic locations to mitigate health hazards associated with street food consumption."

This proactive approach aims to safeguard public health by addressing both the quality of ingredients and the cleanliness of food preparation environments in Chennai's street food sector.