The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has once again directed food business operators across the country to stop using newspapers and other printed materials for packaging, serving, and storing food, citing serious health concerns associated with printing inks and contaminants.
FSSAI renews warning
The directive, highlighted in a press release issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on June 5, comes amid growing concerns that the practice remains widespread, particularly among street food vendors and small food establishments, per a report by NDTV.
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The renewed warning follows a recent incident in Mumbai, where a popular vada pav vendor was found wrapping food in newspapers. Acting on the violation, FSSAI's Western Region, in collaboration with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), conducted a joint inspection and initiated corrective measures. During subsequent inspections, officials educated vendors about approved food packaging materials and warned non-compliant establishments to adopt safer alternatives such as food-grade paper and butter paper.
Street vendors can’t use newspapers anymore
FSSAI clarified that the prohibition applies to all food businesses, including street vendors, cloud kitchens, caterers, quick-service restaurants (QSRs), food stalls, mobile food vendors, and small retailers. The regulator also stressed that newspapers should not be used to absorb excess oil from fried snacks such as samosas, pakoras, and vada pav, nor for covering or storing prepared food.
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According to FSSAI, newspaper ink contains chemicals, pigments, binders, colourants, and potentially harmful heavy metals such as lead, which can leach into food and pose long-term health risks. Additionally, newspapers may carry dust, dirt, and pathogens due to exposure during printing, transportation, and distribution. The practice is prohibited under the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018.
