New Delhi, June 6 (IANS). Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has termed food packed or served in newspapers as hazardous to health.
FSSAI said it has asked food vendors and establishments across the country to stop using newspapers for wrapping or serving food, as it can pose a serious risk to health.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said the advisory has been issued following a recent incident in Mumbai, in which a vada-pav vendor was found using newspapers to pack and serve food.
Following this incident, the Western Region of FSSAI took joint action with the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) and issued directions to stop such practices in the city and region.
The food safety regulator said the printing ink used in newspapers contains harmful chemicals, pigments, binders and heavy metals like lead, which can leach into food when it comes in contact with hot or oily foods.
Additionally, she warned that newspapers are often exposed to unsanitary conditions during distribution and handling and may contain germs that can cause foodborne illnesses.
Reiterating the existing rules, FSSAI said the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Rules, 2018, strictly prohibit the use of newspapers or similar unapproved materials for storing, wrapping or serving food.
This advisory applies to all food businesses, including street vendors, restaurants, cloud kitchens, caterers, quick service restaurants, hawkers and mobile food vendors. They have been instructed to use only safe and food-grade packaging materials.
Furthermore, FSSAI urged consumers to be cautious and not consume food served or wrapped in newspapers.
FSSAI and State Authorities are continuing monitoring and enforcement under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, as well as promoting safe and sustainable packaging solutions in the food sector.
Earlier in May, after a video went viral on social media, the food safety regulator had issued a legal notice to the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) over unhygienic handling of utensils in train number 12223 Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT)-Ernakulam (ERS) Duronto Express.
–IANS
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