India, March 11 -- Rising tensions in the Middle East are beginning to ripple through India's food industry. The ongoing conflict involving Iran and the United States has pushed global oil prices higher and disrupted energy supply routes, including the crucial Strait of Hormuz. For a country like India, which relies heavily on imported energy, the fallout is being felt through higher LNG costs, rising fuel prices and increasing pressure on gas supply chains.

The ripple effects have reached restaurants and street food vendors across the country. A shortage of commercial LPG cylinders-combined with the government invoking provisions under the Essential Commodities Act-has left the commercial food sector scrambling for alternatives. Small v...