Plastic In Pakoda Oil? Ludhiana Street Food Video Sparks Outrage Online

A disturbing video from Ludhiana, Punjab, has taken the internet by storm, showing a local street food vendor dropping sealed plastic oil pouches directly into boiling oil. The clip has prompted a wave of concern across social media, with netizens slamming the unhygienic and dangerous practice.

The incident came to light when food blogger Harry Uppal shared the footage with the caption, “Come hungry, leave speechless.” What followed was a barrage of reactions, with users horrified by what’s now being mockingly called " microplastic pakode ."

Plastic Dipped Directly Into Hot Oil

In the viral video, the vendor can be seen adding entire sealed plastic packets of oil into a large pan of boiling oil. Once the plastic melts and bursts open, he proceeds to use the hot oil to fry pakodas. The justification? “It’s an easy way to pour out the oil.”

Watch the viral video here:


But social media users were having none of it. Concerns about toxic chemicals, microplastic contamination, and the risk to public health quickly dominated the conversation.

Public Reaction: From Jokes to Alarm Bells

Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) users flooded the comments section with alarm, disgust, and sarcasm. One user, Charanjit Sidhu, dryly noted, “My friend visited this stall and said the food was delicious. Those were his last words.”

Another user, Omkar, added, “Pakode now with new plastic flavour.”
Sawan Kumar commented, “Come hungry, leave with cancer.”
Vikalp Singh went viral with, “Microplastic committed suicide here.”

Many users tagged local health departments, demanding an immediate ban on the practice and stricter enforcement of food safety rules. Some expressed worries about how common such practices might be in the unregulated street food scene.

‘Microplastic Pakode’ Trend Reflects Larger Concerns

The phrase “microplastic pakode” has since become symbolic of public distrust towards unmonitored street food practices. While many enjoy the vibrancy and affordability of roadside snacks, incidents like these underline the urgent need for hygiene awareness and regulation in the informal food sector.

As the video continues to circulate widely, the incident has sparked a much-needed conversation around food safety, consumer awareness, and the responsibilities of vendors.