New Delhi: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has warned food vendors and establishments across the country against using newspapers to wrap, store or serve food, saying the practice could pose serious health risks.
The advisory comes in the wake of a recent incident in Mumbai, following which FSSAI and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) initiated steps to curb the use of newspapers for food packaging and serving.
According to FSSAI, printing ink used in newspapers contains harmful chemicals, pigments and heavy metals such as lead, which can contaminate food when it comes into contact with hot or oily items. The regulator said these toxic substances may seep into food, posing potential health hazards to consumers.
The authority also pointed out that newspapers may carry pathogens and contaminants due to unhygienic handling during printing, transportation and distribution, increasing the risk of food-borne illnesses.
Under the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018, the use of newspapers and other non-approved materials for wrapping, storing or serving food is prohibited.
The directive applies to all food business operators, including street food vendors, hotels, restaurants, cloud kitchens, caterers, quick-service outlets and mobile food vendors.
FSSAI has urged consumers to avoid accepting food wrapped or served in newspapers and to insist on food-grade packaging materials.
In a post on social media platform X, the food regulator said serving fried snacks or other food items in newspapers may appear harmless, but can expose consumers to toxic chemicals present in printing ink. “When hot or oily food comes into contact with newspaper print, harmful substances, including heavy metals like lead, can migrate directly into the food,” it said.
The regulator added that inspections and enforcement measures under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, are being intensified to ensure compliance with food safety norms.
Serving or wrapping fried food in newspapers might seem harmless, but it carries serious health risks.
Newspaper printing ink contains toxic chemicals & heavy metals like lead. When hot or greasy food comes into contact with the print, these toxins leach directly into the meal. pic.twitter.com/XAsqdxGW9Y— FSSAI (@fssaiindia) June 6, 2026
