Why newspaper-wrapped snacks may be unsafe

• FSSAI warns against wrapping or storing food in newspapers
• Printing ink contains heavy metals like lead and cadmium
• Hot or oily snacks like vada pav face higher contamination risks

New Delhi: India’s food safety regulator, FSSAI, has once again warned people against using newspapers to wrap, serve, or store food. The authority says

this common practice at many street food stalls and eateries can expose food to harmful chemicals and germs, making it unsafe to eat.

The warning has been issued against a popular vada pav seller in Mumbai that serves as a reminder that a seemingly harmless packaging habit in a newspaper can put many people’s health at risk. As per the experts, when the food comes in contact with the newsprint, many harmful chemicals and disease-causing microbes may transfer directly on the food that is wrapped in it.

FSSAI warns against food packing in newspaper

Experts say the main concern is the printing ink used on newspapers. This ink contains a mix of chemicals, including heavy metals like lead, cadmium and chromium, along with mineral oils, phthalates and artificial dyes, which can contaminate food and pose health risks.

These chemicals are meant for printing and are not safe for direct contact with food. When hot or oily foods are wrapped in newspapers, the chemicals can transfer from the paper into the food and may eventually be consumed by the person eating it.

How does ink transfer to food

Popular Indian street foods such as vada pav, samosas, pakoras and other fried snacks are usually served hot, which increases the risk of contamination. When these hot and oily foods come into contact with newspapers, the heat and oil can cause chemicals from the printing ink to seep into the food.

The risk becomes even higher when food stays wrapped in newspapers for a longer time, as this gives harmful chemicals more time to pass through the paper and contaminate the food.

The risk is not limited to chemicals alone. Newspapers can also carry bacteria, viruses, dust and other pollutants as they pass through different stages from printing to distribution. Harmful germs such as E. coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, Norovirus and the Hepatitis A virus may be present on newspaper surfaces, increasing the risk of food contamination.