FSSAI

FSSAI

News: Recently, The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has urged consumers and food vendors to stop using newspapers for packing, serving, and storing food due to health hazards.

Why the move?
• Chemical Contaminants: Newspaper ink can contain various chemicals, such as heavy metals, solvents, and petroleum-based compounds. These substances may leach into the food and pose health risks when ingested.
• Toxic Components: Some newspaper inks may contain toxic components like lead, cadmium, and other heavy metals. Exposure to these metals can lead to serious health problems, especially when consumed over time.
• Microbial Contamination: Newspapers can be contaminated with bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms. Using it as a food wrapper can introduce these pathogens to the food, increasing the risk of foodborne illnesses.
• Absorbs Excess Oil - Newspapers should not be used to absorb excess oil from fried food as per regulations.
• Violation of Regulations - According to the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018, the use of newspapers or similar materials for storing and wrapping food is strictly prohibited.

About FSSAI:
• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is a statutory body established under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.
• HQ – New Delhi.