Health Risks from Newspaper Ink
The practice of wrapping, storing, and consuming food in newspapers, common in many Indian households, has been deemed dangerous by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Despite its widespread use for packaging foods like samosas and jalebis, FSSAI has highlighted the significant health risks associated with this habit. Newspapers often contain inks that include bioactive materials known to have negative health effects. These inks may also contain harmful chemicals such as lead and heavy metals, which can leach into the food, posing serious health risks when ingested over time.
Potential Contamination from Environmental Factors
Apart from the risks posed by the ink, newspapers are vulnerable to contamination by bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens due to the various environmental conditions they are exposed to during distribution. This makes the paper a potential source of foodborne illnesses, further emphasizing the dangers of using newspapers for food packaging.
Regulatory Measures and Prohibitions
The FSSAI has made it clear through the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018, that using newspapers for food packaging is strictly prohibited. This regulation forbids the use of newspapers for wrapping, covering, or serving food, as well as using them to absorb excess oil from fried food. In light of this, the FSSAI has urged food vendors and consumers to discontinue the practice and explore safer alternatives.
Encouraging Safe Packaging Alternatives
The FSSAI has advised food businesses to adopt safe, food-grade packaging materials and containers to protect consumer health. To help curb this practice, the regulatory body has reached out to State governments, urging them to raise awareness among food vendors and consumers about the potential dangers of using newspapers for food packaging.
