The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a warning against using newspapers for serving, packing, and storing food items. The ink used in newspapers can contain harmful colors, pigments, and additives that can make the food unhealthy.
As per FSSAI regulation, newspapers should not be used to wrap, cover or serve food nor should they be used to absorb excess oil from fried food.
Farsan items are often wrapped in newspapers.
Farsan or Pharsāṇ (Gujarati: ફરસાણ, Hindi and Marathi: फरसाण) refers to salty snacks originating from the Indian subcontinent.Farsans are a very important part of Marwari cuisine, Gujarati cuisine, Marathi cuisine and Sindhi cuisine, wherein a wide variety of them are prepared on special occasions and to entertain guests, and are also enjoyed with tea.Farsan is also found throughout the rest of India, particularly Maharashtra.
Some are fried items which are then dried and can be stored; others are fresh or steamed. The following are the main varieties of Farsan:
Dhokla;Fafda;Khaman;
Chevdo;Chakri;Bhajiya;
Khandvi;Medu Vada;Patras,
Gathiya;Mathri;Muthia;
Handvo;Aloo Sev;
Besan Sev;Dhebra; Gota
Bakar Wadi; Masala Puri etc
FSSAI is asking vendors not to use newspaper for food packaging because the ink used in newspapers contains various bioactive materials with known negative health effects, which can contaminate food and lead to health issues when ingested.
One of the primary disadvantages of paper packaging is its vulnerability to moisture. Unlike plastic or metal, paper can absorb water, compromising its structural integrity. This makes it inappropriate for products that require high levels of protection against moisture or have a long shelf life.
The black ink on newspaper can rub off and transfer onto things you are moving which is why you shouldn't use newspaper as packing material.
There are health risks of newspaper ink when used as food packaging material.
Printing ink contains harmful chemicals – dyes, alcohol, pigments, binders, preservatives, and additives. Even when consumed in small quantities, these substances cause minor stomach upset. However, overdose can cause stomach poisoning and also lead to cancer-related health complications.
.Newspapers and recycled papers may have metallic contaminants like mineral oils and harmful chemicals like phthalates which can cause digestive problems .
Animal studies have linked phthalates to a host of serious health concerns, including birth defects, allergies and damage to the male genitals. Phthalates also harm the developing brain, leading to reduced IQ and attention and behavior disorders in children.
Effects include malformations in organs needed for sperm development, hypospadias (abnormal urinary openings), and undescended testes. Studies in people provide evidence that exposure levels are already high enough that they may be harming male reproductive development.
Phthalates are endocrine disruptors, and exposure to phthalates has been linked to breast cancer, developmental issues, decreased fertility, obesity and asthma.
Newspaper printing ink comprises various bioactive substances, colors, pigments, binders, and additives; such compound migrates from paper to food and newspapers are absorbent enough to soak newsprint, which may cause chronic toxicity
Using newspapers to wrap food can cause serious and harmful health issues. The ink used in newspapers contain hazardous chemicals that may affect the quality of food, increase the risk of digestive disorders, toxicity, cancer, weaken the immune system and may cause failure of vital organs.
Food wrapped in newspaper likely to get content with Lead.
Lead contamination in Newspapers often contains lead-based ink, which can transfer to the food when it comes into contact with the paper.
Newspapers use ink that contains potentially harmful chemicals like lead and other toxins. When these substances come into contact with food, especially moist or oily items, there's a risk of the ink transferring onto the food.The black ink on newspaper can rub off and transfer onto things you are moving which is why you shouldn't use newspaper as packing material.
Newspaper contains a toxic material called lead. It is a naturally occurring toxic metal found in the Earth's crust. Lead can harm production of blood cells and the absorption of calcium needed for strong bones and teeth, muscle movements, and the work of nerves and blood vessels.
The inks used in printing of newspaper were known to produce harmful effects. The reason is the solvent and inks used for printing. It usually contains phthalate and Dimethyl sulfoxide as a solvent, which are definitely not good for health. Especially that pthalate, which is an endocrine disrupter.
Newspapers can harbour bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms. When used to wrap food, these microorganisms can transfer onto the food, leading to contamination and potential foodborne illnesses.
Some newspapers might still use dangerous petroleum-based inks with a high amount of volatile organic compounds (or VOCs) in them ,which can cause cancer.
Waxed paper is ideal for wrapping food items that are prone to moisture, grease, or oil. Greaseproof paper is ideal for wrapping food items such as burgers, sandwiches, and fried foods. Butcher paper is ideal for wrapping meat products, while parchment paper is ideal for baking and cooking.
Information compiled by:
Dr. Bhairavsinh Raol
