The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a “strong advisory” to both consumers and food vendors throughout the nation, urging them to discontinue the practice of using newspapers for packaging, serving, or storing food items.
In accordance with the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations of 2018, the utilization of newspapers or comparable materials for the preservation and wrapping of food is expressly forbidden. These regulations explicitly state that newspapers must not be employed for the purpose of wrapping, covering, or serving food, nor should they be used to absorb excess oil from fried food.
In a statement, FSSAI CEO G Kamala Vardhana Rao emphasized the substantial health hazards linked to the practice of using newspapers for food wrapping or packaging. He strongly encouraged all food vendors to embrace conscientious packaging methods that prioritize the health and safety of their customers.
“The ink used in newspapers contains various bioactive materials with known negative health effects, which can contaminate food and lead to health issues when ingested. Additionally, printing inks may contain chemicals including lead and heavy metals that can leach into the food, posing serious health risks over time,” FSSAI stated.
Additionally, the regulatory body has stated that it is in close collaboration with state food authorities to enforce a ban on the use of newspapers for food wrapping or packaging, while also actively promoting awareness of this issue among the general public.
