Rajeev Sharma :- The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a fresh advisory directing food vendors and businesses to stop using newspapers for packing, wrapping or serving food, citing serious health and safety concerns.
The advisory follows a recent enforcement action in Mumbai, where food was found being packed and served in newspapers. The action was carried out jointly by FSSAI’s West Regional Office and the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM).
According to the food regulator, newspaper ink contains harmful substances such as chemicals, pigments, colours, lead and other heavy metals that can contaminate food and pose long-term health risks to consumers. Newspapers may also carry bacteria and other disease-causing microorganisms as they pass through multiple stages of printing, handling, transportation and distribution.
FSSAI reiterated that the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018, prohibit the use of newspapers and similar printed materials for storing, wrapping or serving food. Despite previous advisories, the practice continues to be observed in some places, prompting the regulator to issue a renewed warning.
The directive applies to all food business operators, including street food vendors, restaurants, cloud kitchens, caterers, quick-service restaurants, petty retailers and mobile food sellers. Businesses have been instructed not to use newspapers for any food-related purpose, including wrapping food items, covering ingredients or absorbing excess oil.
The regulator has advised food operators to adopt approved food-grade packaging materials to ensure consumer safety and compliance with food safety standards. Consumers have also been urged to avoid purchasing food that is packed or served in newspapers.
FSSAI said it would continue working with state authorities to strengthen the enforcement of food safety regulations and promote safer packaging practices across the food industry while increasing public awareness about food safety.
