The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has once again urged food business operators to immediately discontinue the use of newspapers for packaging, wrapping, or serving food items, citing serious health and safety concerns.
The renewed directive follows a recent incident involving a Mumbai vada pav vendor who was found using newspapers to package food products. In response, FSSAI’s Western Region office, along with local authorities, emphasized that newspapers are not safe for direct food contact and their use violates existing food safety regulations.
Health Risks Associated with Newspaper Packaging
According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, newspaper printing inks contain harmful chemicals, pigments, dyes, binders, and heavy metals such as lead. These substances can migrate into food, particularly hot, oily, or moist foods, posing long-term health risks to consumers.
Additionally, newspapers often pass through multiple handling and distribution stages, exposing them to dust, dirt, and pathogens. This increases the risk of food contamination and foodborne illnesses.
Regulations Prohibit Newspaper Use
The Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018, strictly prohibit the use of newspapers and similar printed materials for storing, wrapping, serving, or covering food products.
FSSAI clarified that the prohibition applies to all food business operators, including:
- Street food vendors
- Restaurants
- Cloud kitchens
- Caterers
- Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs)
- Food stalls and vending establishments
- Petty retailers
- Mobile food vendors and hawkers
The authority specifically warned against using newspapers to absorb excess oil, wrap food items, cover ingredients, or serve food in any form.
Call for Safe Food-Grade Packaging
FSSAI has urged food businesses to adopt only approved food-grade packaging materials to ensure consumer safety. The authority also encouraged consumers to remain vigilant and avoid purchasing food served or packaged in newspapers.
State food safety authorities have been directed to strengthen monitoring and enforcement under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and related regulations.
Promoting Safe and Sustainable Packaging
As part of its broader food safety mission, FSSAI continues to promote the use of safe and sustainable packaging solutions across the food and beverage sector. The initiative supports both consumer health protection and environmental sustainability while strengthening food safety awareness nationwide.
The regulator reiterated that food safety begins with safe handling and packaging practices, and compliance with approved packaging standards remains essential for protecting public health.
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