Overview
- Major Indian outlets on Tuesday highlighted viral videos of chefs heating a construction brick, pouring hot oil on it, and dropping it into food to add a smoky note.
- CK Birla Hospital nutritionist Deepali Sharma warned the practice is highly unsafe because bricks can contain lead, arsenic, cadmium and chromium.
- Experts explain that when such bricks are heated and touch oil or moisture, those metals can leach into the dish.
- Doctors say small, repeated doses can build up in the body and over time harm the brain, kidneys, liver and hormones.
- Safer options include food-grade methods like dhungar with charcoal, grills or smoked spices, and no regulatory action or confirmed poisoning cases are reported in these stories.