After pani puri, deadly bacteria and yeast found in shawarma samples

Street foods always tempt us, after all they are so delicious and flavourful, and enjoying them during monsoon season is a different kick altogether. From pani puri to shawarma, there are endless options to explore. While they are totally delicious, they also come with a risk of contamination and adulteration during this season, when the moisture content in the air is very high, and often lead to food poisoning and other health issues. In order to handle the sample, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) recently did a batch of investigations in Karnataka, collected samples of food and did their quality check. Scroll down to read their findings.

As per reports, FSSAI officials collected shawarma samples from 10 districts in the state, including from restaurants in Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) limits. Most of the samples were found to be of poor quality and hazardous to human health.

It is reported that out of 17 samples, 8 were foind to be in unhygenic condition. They were contaminated with unhea;thy bacteria and yeast that could lead to severe health issues.

In the last week, the FSSAI officials did an inspection and found that nearly 22 percent of pani puri samples collected from across the state and they failed the safety standards.

This drill took place a few days after the banning of artificial food colouring in kebabs across Karnataka. FSSAI reportedly collected pani puri samples randomly from 79 places across Karnataka, with 49 of them being from various parts of Bengaluru.

The action was taken after FSSAI received numerous complaints regarding the quality of Pani Puri being sold across Karnataka.

As per reports, of the 260 samples collected, 41 were found to contain artificial colouring agents and potentially cancer-causing chemicals in the sauce and meetha chilli powder, rendering them unfit for consumption. An additional 18 samples were deemed to be of poor quality.

As per FSSAI, chemicals like brilliant blue, sunset yellow, and tartrazine were the primary agents that failed the safety standard of street food. If health experts are to be believed, excessive consumption of these chemicals may lead to various health issues including stomach ache, heart disease, and also auto-immune disorder.

For the uninitiated, brilliant blue, specifically Brilliant Blue FCF (also known as FD&C Blue No. 1 or E133), is a synthetic dye commonly used in foods, beverages, and cosmetics. It's excessive use in food can lead to skin allergy and itching. It is not good for kids and may contribute to hyperactivity and attention-related issues in them. Consuming large amounts of Brilliant Blue can sometimes cause digestive issues such as abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea. These effects are generally rare and usually occur with excessive consumption.

Sunset Yellow on the other hand, is a synthetic food dye, which may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, including skin rashes and itching. Some studies suggest it could exacerbate symptoms of ADHD in children and cause hyperactivity. In high doses, it may lead to digestive discomfort, such as nausea and vomiting. Regulatory bodies advise cautious consumption and consider potential risks associated with its use in food products.

Earlier the Karnataka government had banned the use of food colouring agent Rhodamine-B, which is widely used in dishes such as gobi manchurian and cotton candy. Karnataka health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said stringent action will be taken if sellers use these chemicals in their restaurants.