‘Ban use of newspapers for packing food items’

Pune: Soon, local street food stalls and eateries will have to do away with stocking and packing food items in newspapers as the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has decided to discourage this rampant use through targeted awareness campaign.

The highest office of food safety has accordingly urged all states and Union territories to plan campaigns to not only create awareness about the ill effects of this method of serving foods but also bring healthy practice methods of serving foods.

“It is an extremely unhealthy practice to serve food in newspaper and consumption of such foods can be hazardous to people’s health,” said a statement issued by FSSAI.

A newspaper, which contains ink and associated colour pigments, binders, additives and preservatives, can pose serious health issues if consumed with food.

“As it has been proven that exposure to these ingredients, particularly by children, elderly and those suffering from illnesses, pose a higher risk of developing cancer-related health issues, we aim at phasing out this practice,” the officials stated.

Accordingly, it has been advised that newspapers should not be used to wrap, cover, serve foods neither should it be used to absorb excess oil of fried foods. 

“Steps are being planned in order to discourage the use of newspaper from the food industry or at least restrict the use in a manner, which will not pose a health hazard,” said an official from State’s Food and Drugs Administration (FDA).

Similarly, in another move, the food safety authority has also informed the beverage and cool drink manufacturers to use blue tint on bottles used in packaging as per the guidelines of the FDA. 

The caffeinated beverages must strictly be within the prescribed limit of 145 mg/litre to 300 mg/litre, exceeding which, it would attract penalty. 

Also, it has been made mandatory for the food industry to specify on its label the per day consumption limit. 

“Often, the label does not find any special mention of children, pregnant women and lactating mothers for whom this beverage is not advised to consume. This has now been made mandatory,” added the official.