The government of Haryana has imposed a ban on the use of liquid nitrogen in food preparations (including frozen desserts) and beverages (including cocktails), following the death of a man from Delhi, who had a hole in his stomach upon consuming a drink containing the gas at a bar.
Although the ban, which was recommended by the state food and drug administration, earned the state government’s nod, it wasn’t welcomed by restaurateurs, who stated that it would have an adverse impact on a number of their dishes and concoctions.
Representatives of the restaurant sector added that banning liquid nitrogen would create hurdles in the process of creating meals and impose restrictions on those who are involved in the preparation of instant food items, thereby affecting their businesses.
Some restaurateurs are contemplating moving court to seek a legal remedy for the step taken by the state government, as stated by a National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) representative. Experts have also opined that several dishes and cocktails would have to be reinvented, with a substitute for liquid nitrogen.
As far as the handling of the gas was concerned, the industry concurred that imparting specialised training to those who would be handling and using it was the need of the hour. They also stated that after a meal or a drink containing it has been served to the consumer, he/she must be taught how to consume the same.