The Kerala Food Safety Department has directed that food items – like samosas, peanuts, or pakodas, should be packed using only food-grade packing material and not the widely popular newspapers. In a notification, the department has banned the use of newspapers to wrap fried snacks over concerns that it quickly contaminates the food with harmful chemicals like lead and ink. Use of effective packaging will ensure that there is no change in the composition of the food.

According to the Assistant Commissioner of Food Safety, the department’s notification emphasizes that food entrepreneurs should strictly follow the guidelines regarding packaging material and participate in the food safety process.

What is Health hazards of using newspapers for wrapping,

Experts say, even though street food culture brings a vibrant and friendly environment to local businesses and plays an important role in preserving food heritage – it also spreads various diseases.

It is important to adopt hygienic practices when handling food and ensure food safety. Most street foods, which are popular among teenagers and children, pose potential health risks from newspaper ink and have harmful effects in the growing years.

Furthermore, doctors say the cumulative accumulation of dust and contamination in newspapers makes it home to the spread of all types of pathogens – viruses, bacteria and fungi. E. coli infection Which causes dangerous symptoms such as:

• Diarrhea
• vomiting and nausea
• Fever
• gastric problems
• severe stomach pain

The newspaper is typically transported for miles in vehicles before being dropped at customers’ doorsteps – and circulated to various locations – including study areas, living and dining rooms, or even toilets. Yes – It depends on your reading habits. And hence, handling it by different people makes it highly dangerous.

ink poisoning

Furthermore, newspaper ink can have significant effects on human health – particularly the potential for lead poisoning. These chemicals, if they come in contact with food, make it unsafe for consumption. According to doctors, newspaper ink is full of chemical extracts and organic solvents like di-isopropyl phthalate, ethanol, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), dipropyl phthalate and propanol.

It also contains heavy metals like cadmium, mercury, lead and chromium, which can cause toxic effects – leading to dangerous problems:

• neurotoxicity
• heart or heart disease
• kidney diseases
• weak bones
• liver damage
• lung damage

Safer Alternatives You Can Try

To make food hygienic and safe for consumption, make sure you always eat from vendors who use suitable packaging material that is eco-friendly and does not pose a health hazard:

• insulated containers for foods such as soups and stews to reduce bacterial contamination
• Be sure to eat from vendors who serve food in materials like stainless steel, dried leaves, or glass utensils
• Always keep fruits and vegetables fresh under running water and pack them in containers before eating.
• Packaging materials such as paper, plastic bags, food wrappers and aluminum foil should not be reused to avoid cross-contamination.

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