Attention Food wrapped in newspaper can cause disease, FSSAI issues warning to food vendors and bans them

FSSAI Warning Against Newspaper Food Packaging: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a very important and strict instruction to all the food vendors across the country. The regulator has termed the old habit of wrapping or serving food in newspaper as very dangerous for health. According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, this latest advisory has been issued soon after a recent incident in Mumbai. There a vada-pav seller was caught red-handed while packing food in newspaper.

Immediately after this incident, FSSAI’s Western Region has initiated joint action with Mumbai Municipal Corporation. Very strict instructions have been issued to stop such harmful and age-old practices in the city forever. In view of the serious health risks posed by serving food in newspapers, this special campaign will be run across the country. It is being ensured that the common people do not suffer from any kind of fatal disease while eating outside food.

Harmful chemicals hidden in newspaper ink

The food safety regulator has clearly stated that the printing ink used in newspapers contains many types of harmful chemicals. It contains very dangerous and heavy metals like pigments, binders and lead. Whenever any hot or oily thing comes in contact with these newspapers, these chemicals immediately get mixed with the food. By eating food containing such poisonous elements, a person is always at risk of getting many serious diseases.

FSSAI has also issued a serious warning that newspapers often undergo very unhygienic and dirty conditions during distribution. During this long process, many types of dangerous germs and bacteria easily accumulate on them. When food is served in the same dirty newspapers, all those dangerous germs directly enter our food. Due to this, people can easily become victims of food poisoning and many other serious stomach related diseases.

Food safety rules will be strictly followed

Reiterating the old rules, the regulator said the Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2018 prohibit wrapping food in newspaper. This important advice applies to all food businesses including street vendors, restaurants, cloud kitchens, caterers and mobile food vendors. All of them have been given strict and direct instructions to use only safe and food-grade packaging material at all costs. FSSAI has also made a special appeal to the customers that they should never consume food served in newspapers.

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FSSAI and State Authorities continue their strict monitoring and enforcement under the Food Safety Act, 2006. In May this year, the food regulator had also issued a strict legal notice to IRCTC after a viral video. This notice was sent immediately on the serious allegation of extremely unhygienic handling of utensils in Duronto Express 12223 train. The Government is now promoting completely safe and sustainable packaging solutions in the food sector on a large scale across the country.