Bengaluru, March 1 -- The Karnataka health department is set to write to the Union health ministry to introduce regulations on tattooing, including licencing requirements for tattoo artists and studios. The move comes after findings revealed harmful heavy metals in tattoo inks being used in the state, officials aware of the matter said on Friday.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka food safety department has also raised concerns over the use of polythene sheets in idli preparation at several restaurants.

Addressing a press conference on Friday, health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said that currently, tattooing operates without formal oversight. "There are no existing rules regulating tattoo inks, which may contain harmful substances. Once introduced ...