Chennai: Food safety authorities will take action against eateries and hotels using plastic bags to pack hot food or beverages, citing health risks. Designated food safety officer Dr P Satheesh Kumar warned of fines and possible penalties under the FSSAI Act for violations.
"Heat causes chemicals from plastic to leach into food, disrupting hormones, damaging organs, and increasing cancer risk. Plastics can also harbour bacteria," he said. He emphasised serving hot food in food-grade containers, steel, or glass and using aluminium or food-grade materials for parcels.
Eateries found serving contaminated food will risk getting sealing orders and facing legal action, he said.