FSSAI Warns Against Using Newspapers for Food Packaging, Cites Serious Health Hazards

New Delhi, June 2026: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a fresh advisory urging food vendors, restaurants and other food business operators across the country to immediately stop using newspapers for wrapping, storing or serving food, warning that the practice poses significant health risks to consumers.

The advisory follows a recent incident in Mumbai where a vendor was found using newspapers to package and serve vada pav. The case prompted authorities to take action and reinforce existing food safety regulations aimed at protecting public health.

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, FSSAI’s West Region office, in coordination with the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM), launched a drive to discourage the use of newspapers and similar materials for food packaging. Officials have also directed food establishments to strictly comply with approved food safety standards.

FSSAI highlighted that newspapers are not designed for direct contact with food and may contain harmful substances that can contaminate food items. Printing inks used in newspapers often contain chemicals, pigments, binders and heavy metals such as lead, which can migrate into food, particularly when it is hot, oily or moist.

The regulator warned that prolonged exposure to such contaminants could pose health risks to consumers. Hot snacks, fried foods and oily products are especially vulnerable, as they can absorb chemical residues from printed paper more easily.

Apart from chemical contamination, FSSAI also pointed to hygiene concerns. Newspapers pass through multiple stages of handling, transportation and storage before reaching readers. During this process, they may come into contact with dust, dirt, bacteria and other contaminants. As a result, food wrapped in newspapers may be exposed to harmful pathogens capable of causing foodborne illnesses.

Reiterating the legal position, FSSAI noted that the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018, explicitly prohibit the use of newspapers and other non-approved materials for storing, wrapping or serving food. The regulations require food businesses to use only food-grade packaging materials that are safe for direct contact with edible products.

The advisory applies to a wide range of food operators, including street food vendors, restaurants, cloud kitchens, caterers, quick-service restaurants, hawkers and mobile food vendors. All such establishments have been directed to adopt safe packaging alternatives and ensure compliance with food safety norms.

FSSAI has also appealed to consumers to remain vigilant and avoid purchasing food served or packed in newspapers. Consumers have been encouraged to report unsafe practices to local authorities whenever they encounter violations.

The regulator said that surveillance and enforcement activities under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, will continue across the country. Authorities are also promoting safer and more sustainable food packaging solutions to improve hygiene standards in the food sector.

The latest advisory comes amid increased scrutiny of food safety practices. In May, FSSAI had issued a statutory notice to Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation over alleged unhygienic handling of utensils aboard the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus–Ernakulam Duronto Express after a video circulating on social media raised concerns about onboard catering standards.

The food safety watchdog has reiterated that consumer health remains its top priority and that strict compliance with packaging regulations is essential to ensure safe food for all.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)