22% of paani puris fail miserably at quality tests, may affect digestive, immunity, says Bengaluru food safety authority

Thinking of indulging in some delicious paani puri this weekend? Think again. While desis can’t get enough of this mouth-watering street snack, some reports have raised doubts about its safety and long-term impact on health.

A report from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in Karnataka revealed that almost 22% of pani puri samples sold in the state did not meet quality standards. Out of 260 samples collected across the state, 41 were deemed unsafe due to the presence of artificial colors and carcinogenic substances. Additionally, 18 samples were rated as poor quality and unfit for consumption. Srinivas K, the Commissioner of Food Safety, confirmed to Deccan Herald that the decision to test pani puri quality was made after the authority received numerous complaints.

"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," Srinivas told the news publication.

How This Streetfood Can Be A Health Hazard

The findings indicated that the eateries used chemicals and artificial coloring agents like brilliant blue, sunset yellow, and tartrazine. Dr. Vishal Rao, Dean of the Centre for Academic Research at HCG Cancer Centre, explained that these artificial colors could have various health effects.

The effects of these substances on our health are myriad, told Rao. From digestive issues to cardiac diseases, and autoimmune failure, these substances can endanger our health and affect our lifespan in various ways.

Food safety officials are now exploring potential actions against violators and ways to enforce food safety standards in smaller eateries. "We are analyzing the results to assess the impact of these chemicals and have raised the issue with the Health Department," Srinivas stated. The Food Safety Department also plans to inspect the quality of other food items based on public complaints. Recently, FSSAI Karnataka banned the use of artificial colors in kebabs, gobi manchurian, and cotton candy following similar reports.