What the New Advisory Says
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has reinforced its regulations, extending the definition of food safety to include its container. The core of the advisory targets a widespread and long-standing practice: the use of newspapers
and other printed materials for packing, wrapping, or serving food. Under the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018, any material that comes into direct contact with food must be of food-grade quality. The regulations explicitly prohibit using newspapers for this purpose, a rule that applies to everyone from street vendors to large restaurants. The focus is on preventing harmful chemicals, especially from printing inks, from migrating into food, a process that can pose serious health risks.
The Hidden Risks in Your Takeaway
That newspaper cone holding your bhel puri or the printed paper absorbing oil from your samosa could be a source of contamination. Printing inks contain a cocktail of chemicals, including pigments, binders, additives, and even heavy metals like lead. When hot, oily, or moist food comes into contact with this ink, these toxic substances can leach into what you are about to eat. Studies have linked chemicals commonly found in packaging, such as phthalates and bisphenols (like BPA), to a range of health issues, including hormonal disruption, reproductive problems, and even increased risk of heart disease and cancer. Beyond chemical risks, newspapers are often handled unhygienically during distribution, potentially carrying dust, dirt, and pathogens that can cause foodborne illnesses.
A New Standard for Food Hygiene
This regulatory push signals a significant shift in how hygiene is perceived. It's a move from focusing solely on the kitchen to examining the entire supply chain, right up to the moment food reaches the consumer. FSSAI regulations now mandate that any printing on packaging must not come into direct contact with the food inside. Furthermore, the inks used must conform to specific Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) norms, such as IS: 15495, which outlines a code of practice for food packaging inks. This ensures that even the outside of a package is safe, preventing chemical migration through the material or through set-off, where ink from the outside of one package transfers to the inside of another during stacking. Every food business operator, regardless of size, is now responsible for ensuring their packaging is clean, tamper-proof, and made of approved food-grade materials.
What This Means for Consumers
As a consumer, this heightened focus empowers you to make safer choices. The FSSAI has urged the public to be vigilant and avoid buying food served or wrapped in newspapers. When you see a vendor using newspaper, you are encouraged to report it and choose vendors who use proper food-grade materials. Look for unprinted surfaces touching your food. For packaged goods, the FSSAI logo and a 14-digit license number must be clearly displayed, confirming the business is registered and compliant. While authorities increase enforcement, consumer awareness is a powerful tool to drive change from the ground up, encouraging safer practices across the board.
The Challenge for India's Food Businesses
For many small businesses and street food vendors, this presents a challenge. Newspapers have long been a cheap and readily available option for packaging. Transitioning to approved materials like butter paper, certified food-grade wraps, or unprinted containers involves higher costs. However, the FSSAI has made it clear that economic convenience cannot take precedence over public health. The regulations apply equally to all food business operators, from mobile hawkers to quick-service restaurants and caterers. This push is expected to create a larger market for safe, compliant, and sustainable packaging solutions, encouraging manufacturers to produce cost-effective and food-safe alternatives.
