The soft, steaming idlis you grab from roadside stalls may not be as healthy as they seem. Karnataka’s Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has raised concerns over a dangerous practice where eateries use plastic sheets to steam idlis, a method that could expose consumers to cancer-causing chemicals. The minister has ordered an immediate crackdown on such establishments, warning that heating plastic releases harmful toxins that can contaminate food. While idlis are often considered a light and healthy snack, this practice could pose serious health risks. Health and food safety officials recently inspected 251 eateries across Karnataka, finding that 52 were using plastic sheets in idli preparation. These eateries have been issued notices to cease the unsafe practice. Consumers are being urged to be cautious when eating at roadside stalls and to choose eateries that follow safe, traditional cooking methods to reduce the risk of exposure to harmful chemicals. Watch the video for more information.