News Flash Daily
18 February
Unverified clip showing poha being packed by hand on the floor fuels public anger and renews focus on regulatory gaps in small food processing units
New Delhi: A viral video allegedly filmed inside a small poha packaging unit has triggered widespread concern on social media, with viewers questioning hygiene practices and the effectiveness of food safety monitoring in India. The clip, which has been widely circulated across platforms, shows what appears to be flattened rice being handled and packed in conditions many users have described as alarming and unacceptable.
The footage shows a storage- or factory-like space where large white sacks are stacked in the background, while a massive heap of poha is spread directly across the floor. Two men are seen sitting on the pile itself while filling green printed plastic packets by hand. Despite the packets appearing bright and professionally designed from the outside, the handling process has drawn sharp criticism.
Men Seen Packing Poha by Hand on the Floor
The video opens with one man wearing a light-coloured T-shirt, seated cross-legged directly on the poha scattered on the ground. He is seen using his bare hands to scoop and fill the flattened rice into empty packets. Beside him, another man in a blue shirt operates a small sealing machine. Dozens of already-filled green packets are visible around them, stacked and ready for sale.
Notably, the poha is not placed on trays, mats, or clean sheets. Instead, it lies openly on what appears to be the bare floor. Small pieces of poha can be seen sticking to the workers’ clothes as they continue packing, further intensifying contamination concerns.
Sealing Machine Used After Manual Filling
After the packets are filled, the man in the blue shirt places each open packet into a sealing machine positioned in front of him. The machine presses and seals the packet tops, giving the final product a neat and market-ready appearance. A weighing scale is also visible nearby, possibly used to check packet weight before sealing.
At no point in the clip are gloves, masks, or hair covers visible on the workers. The camera pans across the room, showing the sheer quantity of poha being handled and the scale of operations. Towards the end, the space is shown filled with ready-to-sell green poha packets stacked in large numbers, reinforcing the contrast between premium-looking packaging and questionable internal practices.
Public Reaction and Food Safety Concerns
The caption accompanying the viral clip reads: “The packaging may look premium and appealing, giving the impression of high-quality poha. However, the extremely unhygienic way in which it is being packed is deeply disturbing.” It further questions the absence of oversight by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India and other regulatory bodies.
“The health of Indian consumers is being continuously compromised, and this kind of negligence cannot be ignored any longer,” the caption states.
While the exact location, brand, and date of the video remain unverified, the visuals have reignited a larger debate on hygiene standards in small and unorganised food processing units. Food safety experts have repeatedly warned that inadequate sanitation during packaging can lead to contamination and long-term health risks.
Authorities have not yet issued an official response to this specific video. However, the incident has once again highlighted the urgent need for stricter inspections, regular audits, and stronger enforcement mechanisms to ensure that food reaching consumers meets basic safety standards, regardless of how attractive the packaging may appear.
