In a shocking incident, police raided an area in India where two persons were taken into custody for kneading the pani puri dough with their feet. The raid, after a viral video surfaced on social media, exposed unhygienic and unethical practices in preparing popular street food. The authorities were even more horrified to know not only the unsanitary method of kneading with feet, but also that harmful substances like Harpic toilet cleaner and fertilizers are used in the dough mixture.
Pani puri, over a long period of time, has been very much part of India’s vibrant street food culture. Of late, however, it has been found that pani puri dough is prepared using feet. The revelation has disgusted many and questioned their safety on consuming the foods. The use of Harpic and fertilizers in their preparation seriously poses health risks.
Disadvantages of kneading the pani puri dough with feet and adding fertilizers
Harpic is a strong chemical used for cleaning toilets and can cause stomach problems, poison, and even long-term health complications on being taken internally. Fertilizers, even though they are for plants to grow well, contain substances that quite literally should never be ingested into the human body.
A video of two persons kneading the dough of pani puri with their feet has gone viral, outraging the country’s people. Basically, it is not only against the minimum code of ethics, but it is a very unhygienic practice to do so. Feet carry all kinds of bacteria and germs, and therefore the dough becomes unsafe to consume. Disregard for food safety in such manners raises questions concerning standards of street vendors and their consequences on public health.
Watch the video:
In the aftermath of the raid, the authorities have suggested awareness and continuing to eat pani puri in places where cleanliness is followed. Eating food from roadside vendors that are not clean would invite foodborne diseases, and one should not compromise on health for facility. The incident sends a lesson to customers and vendors about the safety of food and hygiene regarding India’s favorite street food culture.
Also, see: Watch: Video goes viral as Shopkeeper sells fruit juices mixed with urine
