LUDHIANA, August 7 — A video of a street food vendor melting plastic oil pouches directly in a kadhai of boiling oil has gone viral, sparking widespread concern over food safety and public health in Punjab’s industrial hub.
Shot near Gill Chowk, the footage shows the vendor dipping sealed plastic pouches into hot oil to extract their contents, causing the plastic to melt instantly. The vendor is also seen preparing fried snacks, including bread pakoras, with bare hands and little regard for hygiene.
Health experts have raised red flags over the practice, warning that heating plastic at high temperatures can release toxic substances such as Bisphenol A (BPA) and dioxins, both linked to serious long-term health issues including cancer, hormone disruption, and reproductive problems.
“Such practices are extremely dangerous. Consuming food contaminated with melted plastic can cause irreversible damage to the body,” said a local medical officer. “Immediate regulatory action is necessary.”
The video has rapidly circulated across social media platforms, with thousands of users tagging food safety authorities and urging action.
“This is a public health hazard. We request the FSSAI and local municipal officials to take strict steps against such vendors,” wrote one user on X.
Authorities from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) have yet to issue an official statement. However, sources in the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation said an inspection team has been dispatched to verify the location and identify the vendor for possible legal action.
As outrage mounts, the incident has renewed calls for stronger enforcement of street food regulations and public awareness around safe cooking practices.
“Street food is a vital part of our culture, but safety cannot be compromised,” said a local resident. “What we saw in that video is nothing short of alarming.”
