The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has urged both consumers and food vendors to stop using newspapers for packing, serving and storing food items. Expressing concern over the use of newspapers, FSSAI's CEO, G Kamala Vardhana Rao, highlighted significant health risks associated with this practice with an aim to alert all stakeholders.
Rao explained that newspapers are often subjected to various environmental conditions during distribution, making them susceptible to contamination by bacteria, viruses or other pathogens that may transfer to food, potentially causing foodborne illnesses and other health issues when ingested.
Stating that the ink used in newspapers contains several bioactive materials with known negative health effects, FSSAI pointed out that printing inks may contain chemicals, including Lead and heavy metals, that can leach into the food and pose serious health risks over time.
While FSSAI is closely working with state food authorities to monitor and enforce regulations to prohibit use of newspapers for wrapping or packaging food items, it has recommended adoption of approved food packaging materials like food-grade containers to ensure safety of consumers.
The Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018, strictly prohibit the use of newspapers or similar materials for storing and wrapping food. As per this regulation, newspapers should neither be used to wrap, cover or serve food nor to absorb excess oil from fried food.
