Video of street vendor sparks food safety concerns, activists call for regular checks

On a busy stretch of Gill Road here, where the scent of frying batter usually draws crowds, a 51-second video has turned a pakora stall into the epicentre of a public health storm. In the clip, a vendor is seen emptying plastic pouches of refined oil directly into a kadhai full of boiling oil. The pouches burst open, releasing oil into the vessel—followed by pakoras being fried in it. A food blogger filming the act chuckles, calling it a “dangerous style.” But the internet didn’t laugh. Within hours, the video went viral. Comments poured in, branding the act “cancer ka bomb” and slamming the Health Department for its negligence. “Red raids are just for show,” one user wrote. “No one catches the real filth,” said another.

Video that drew outrage

The footage, now circulating across platforms, shows the vendor casually performing the act, while a blogger eggs him on. “Plastic ke pakore?” the blogger jokingly asks the vendor, who smiles and replies, “Plastic ke kaunse pakore hote hain?”

A moment, meant to entertain, instead ignited fury. “I saw this in a video and thought it was just for fun,” the food vendor later said. “I made a mistake—please forgive me.”

When plastic meets heat

Health experts were quick to respond. Dr Navjot Gill, a Ludhiana-based physician, explained the science behind the outrage. “Heating plastic above 100°C releases BPA and dioxins—chemicals that mix with oil and enter the body through food. These toxins can disrupt hormones, weaken immunity and even cause cancer,” said Dr Gill.

Nutritionists warn that such practices don’t just contaminate food—they compound long-term health risks. “This isn’t just unhygienic,” said one expert. “It’s a slow poison.”

Health Dept’s wake-up call

Following the uproar, the Health Department conducted a surprise inspection at the stall. Officials collected samples of oil, sauces and bread for testing. They reprimanded the vendor for poor hygiene and issued a warning.

“The stall was in an unsanitary condition. We’ve taken samples and instructed the vendor to maintain cleanliness,” said District Health Officer Dr Amarjit Kaur.

But citizens weren’t satisfied. Many questioned why such practices go unchecked until social media forces action. “Are the officials still in Kumbhkarni sleep?” one user asked.

Microplastics: Invisible threat

The incident has reignited concerns about microplastics—tiny plastic particles less than 5mm in size. These particles, formed when plastic breaks down or is heated, can enter food, water, and even the air we breathe.

Once inside the body, microplastics are nearly impossible to remove. They can disrupt digestion, hormonal balance, immunity and reproductive health.

“Avoid heating food in plastic. Stop using single-use plastics. Proper disposal is essential,” urged Dr Navjot.

Voices from community

Local activist Suresh Arora called the incident “a wake-up call for both consumers and content creators.”

“Social media has power—but with that comes responsibility. Promoting stunts that compromise public health is unacceptable.”

Residents echoed the sentiment. “We trust street vendors with our daily meals. This betrayal of that trust is heart-breaking,” said Gurpreet Kaur, a mother of two who lives nearby.

What needs to change

Citizens must report unsafe food practices. The authorities concerned should conduct routine inspections and penalise violators. Bloggers must avoid promoting harmful practices for clicks. Additionally, campaigns on food safety and plastic toxicity are urgently needed.