Latest news with #ShashiIyengar
India Today
08-08-2025
- India Today
Ludhiana vendor dips plastic pouches in hot oil to fry pakode, video sparks outrage
A street food vendor from Ludhiana has sparked outrage online after being caught preparing what social media users dubbed 'microplastic pakode.'In a video shared by food blogger Harry Uppal on Instagram, the vendor is seen dropping sealed plastic oil pouches into a kadhai filled with hot oil. What happens next left viewers furious - as the plastic melts and ruptures, he pours the oil straight into the pan before beginning the cooking hungry, leave speechless,' read the caption, and indeed, viewers were left stunned. The video triggered widespread criticism, with many slamming the vendor for his highly unhygienic cooking practices. Watch the video here: Health coach Shashi Iyengar also shared the video on X, criticising the vendor, saying: 'This street food seller has a 'genius' method of pouring oil - just dip the entire pouch straight into the hot pan. No cutting required! Next up? Engine oil with a side of melted plastic for that ultimate street food flavour.'Several others warned about the serious health hazards involved. See the comments here: This viral video has reignited concerns over food safety and hygiene standards among street vendors, with many urging authorities to take stricter action against such practices.- Ends
News18
07-08-2025
- Health
- News18
Health Hazard On A Plate? Ludhiana Pakora Vendor Criticised For Shocking Oil Hack
Last Updated: The food stall operator is shown in the viral clip dipping disposable oil packets directly into the heating oil, which can cause major health issues. A shocking video from Ludhiana has gone viral, revealing a pakora vendor opening sealed plastic oil packets by dipping them directly into boiling oil—a hazardous procedure. The plastic rapidly bursts under the extreme heat, letting the oil seep into the kadhai without the need for hand cutting. The vendor's practice has raised safety concerns among social media users. The location, known as the 'Flyover Pakora" and located next to Gill Chowk, has gained a lot of attention on social media sites like X (formerly Twitter). The vendor has drawn strong criticism for his blatant disregard for food safety by holding several plastic bags and submerging them straight in boiling oil. What Is The Issue? Shashi Iyengar wrote, 'This street food seller has a 'genius' method of pouring oil – just dip the entire pouch straight into the hot pan. No cutting required!" Watch the video here: The vendor is heard being questioned by a vlogger about his unusual approach to opening oil packets. The vendor, however, appears indifferent and merely clarifies that the pouches open as soon as the oil in which they are dipped becomes sufficiently hot. Social Media Questions The Norm Social media has been flooded with criticism over the awful visuals, with many criticising the vendor for endangering public health and failing to consider the long-term effects it may have on the health of his customers. 'You don't need to be a doctor to know what he is doing is extremely toxic for health," stated an X user, who is also a dermatologist. Detailing the health hazards associated with this risky practice, the user added, 'Dipping plastic pouches in boiling oil causes them to break down and release toxic chemicals like dioxins, phthalates, BPA, and styrene." 'These leach into the oil, mix with the food, and contaminate it. These toxins can cause cancer, hormonal imbalances, liver and kidney damage, lower sperm count, harm fertility and foetal development, and impair brain function in children." As one user put it, 'Hygiene is not a luxury. It's right. If you still want to romanticise street food, go ahead, but know you are also romanticising cancer, infertility, and organ damage." 'Eating such food is equivalent to cutting one's neck," another comment read. Rs 10, we are getting so many things– Oil, Plastic, style of pouring oil, Besan. Bonus: Heart Attack + Medical shop nearby… It's a steal," commented another. The fact that this is not a unique instance is particularly unsettling. Several commenters brought attention to the widespread use of such risky tactics by street food vendors. Earlier, a video of a street-style omelette with Coca-Cola and Skittles in it went viral and sparked a lot of backlash. view comments Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: August 07, 2025, 16:16 IST News viral Health Hazard On A Plate? Ludhiana Pakora Vendor Criticised For Shocking Oil Hack Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
NDTV
07-08-2025
- General
- NDTV
Watch: Street Vendor Dips Plastic Pouches In Hot Oil To Open Them, Sparks Outrage Online
A viral video featuring a street vendor making pakoras in Ludhiana has led to a heated discussion about food safety in India. The reel has been reposted and reshared on X recently, where it has alarmed health experts as well as the general public. The viral video shows the pakora seller holding five oil pouches in his hands. Instead of cutting them open, he dips them into a kadhai filled with hot oil. The high heat melts the plastic instantly, and the oil from the pouches flows into the kadhai. A vlogger is heard asking him about his unusual method. But the vendor seems unconcerned and simply explains that the pouches open immediately once the oil they are dipped in is hot enough. The vlogger goes on to ask the street vendor about the snacks he is frying. He reveals that he is making bread pakoras with an aloo-methi (potato and fenugreek filling). They cost only Rs 10, and this low price surprises the content creator. The vendor insists that he will keep the price the same as long as he can. Viewers also get to see him preparing fried "hot dogs." The bread pieces coated in batter are kept ready in a large container. We see the vendor dip his bare hands into it to transfer them to the kadhai. The text on the video reads, "Viral flyover pakore" - a reference to the location of the street stall at Gill Chowk in Ludhiana. One X user who shared the video was Shashi Iyengar, a health coach. The caption read, This street food seller has a 'genius' method of pouring oil - just dip the entire pouch straight into the hot pan. No cutting required! Next up? Engine oil with a side of melted plastic for that ultimate street food flavour!" The X post has clocked more than 4 million views so far. This street food seller has a 'genius' method of pouring oil - just dip the entire pouch straight into the hot pan. No cutting required! Next up? Engine oil with a side of melted plastic for that ultimate street food flavor! ☹️☹️☹️☹️ — Shashi Iyengar | Accredited Metabolic Health Coach (@shashiiyengar) August 6, 2025 This viral video is continuing to make the rounds online. Another person, who calls themself "The Skin Doctor", reposted part of it on X. He wrote, "You don't need to be a doctor to know what he is doing is extremely toxic for health. One look and it's obvious. Still, the facts: dipping plastic pouches in boiling oil causes them to break down and release toxic chemicals like dioxins, phthalates, BPA, and styrene. These leach into the oil, mix with the food, and contaminate it." The X user claimed that this can lead to a range of serious health problems. He called out to FSSAI and local authorities to take action. He cautioned people to stay away from street food completely. You don't need to be a doctor to know what he is doing is extremely toxic for health. One look and it's obvious. Still, the facts: dipping plastic pouches in boiling oil causes them to break down and release toxic chemicals like dioxins, phthalates, BPA, and styrene. These leach… — THE SKIN DOCTOR (@theskindoctor13) August 6, 2025 Here's how X users reacted to the viral video in the comments: The saddest part? He's not the only one doing it. He's just the one who got filmed — Vikas Sharma (@itsvksharma_) August 6, 2025 Rs 10 we are getting so many things-- Oil, Plastic, style of pouring oil, Besan. Bonus: Heart Attack + Medical shop nearby... It's a steal 😭😭 — Umang Mehta (@Nifty009) August 7, 2025 People will still go there and enjoy the contaminated toxic street foods. Here people as well as the govt are at fault. — JJohnnymeitei (@JohnnyMeetei) August 6, 2025 Modern malnutrition isn't always about less food. It's about more toxins disguised as taste. Micro plastics marinated in seed oils. — Dr Maunil Patel | MD (@Beingfit_medic) August 6, 2025 Some street food adventures are better left avoided. — Berhan Talay | Fat loss & discipline guide (@Messorem37) August 6, 2025 People just care about the taste. Zero awareness. — Tanishq (@Tanishqfit) August 6, 2025 Its ok ! If some one explains to him hell stop. He dsnt know. Let us not demonise humble bread earners - esp when it seems like an earnest mistake.' Lets take on the Big Ps & Big Food giants who are literally pumping poison in our systems. — (HealthMadeEasy) (@DrNavhya) August 6, 2025 Before this, a video showing a street-style omelette with Skittles and Coca-Cola in it went viral and received many negative reactions. Read more about this bizarre street food.
