Food Wrapped in Newspaper? Here’s Why You Should Stop Immediately

Food vendors and consumers are being strongly cautioned against using newspapers for packing, storing, or serving food items due to serious health implications. The printing ink in newspapers contains bioactive materials, including toxic chemicals such as lead and heavy metals, that can easily transfer to food, especially warm or oily items. This contamination increases the risk of foodborne illnesses, digestive disorders, toxicity, and even cancer over prolonged exposure.

Moreover, newspapers are often exposed to environmental contaminants and handled by multiple people during distribution. These factors make them susceptible to bacterial and viral contamination, which can further cause food poisoning. The ink’s chemical compounds dissolve into food, altering its taste and odor, which diminishes food quality and safety.

FSSAI advises the use of safer, food-grade packaging materials like stainless steel, dry leaves, or glass vessels, along with insulated containers and gel packs for perishable items. The ban aims to protect vulnerable groups such as children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems from long-term health complications linked to consuming food wrapped in newspapers.

Key Highlights:

Newspaper ink contains harmful chemicals including heavy metals and lead.

Chemicals from ink transfer to food, causing health risks like cancer and digestive disorders.

Newspapers can carry bacteria and viruses due to environmental exposure.

Food taste, smell, and quality degrade when wrapped in newspaper.

FSSAI urges immediate stop to use of newspapers for food packaging.

Safer alternatives include stainless steel, dry leaves, insulated containers.

Vulnerable populations face greater risk from this practice.

Source: Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), NDTV, The Economic Times, Indian Express​