Indore: FDA soon to launch drive to sensitise people, shopkeepers

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Indore: Following the advisory released by the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) recently to advise people not to use newspapers for wrapping edibles, officials of the Food and Drug Administration department will soon launch a campaign to spread awareness among people about the dangers of having edibles in paper.

The department will soon launch a campaign to make people aware and will also warn shopkeepers who use newspaper for packing edibles.

In the advisory, the FSSAI stated that wrapping food products in newspapers, even if it were manufactured hygienically, is harmful for health as the newspaper ink contains various bioactive materials. Inks also contain harmful colours, pigments, binders, additives and preservatives.

Along with harmful effect of newspapers, the FSSAI also directed all the food safety officers to discourage the practice of using newspaper for packing food products.

Senior Food Safety Officer Manish Swami said, “We use to check the usage of papers at all the shops during inspection and direct them not to use newspapers for wrapping food items. We will soon launch an awareness campaign to say ‘no’ to newspapers for wrapping food products.”

“Older people, teenagers, children and people with compromised vital organs and immune systems are at a greater risk of acquiring cancer-related health complications, if they are exposed to food packed in such material,” the advisory suggested.

Meanwhile, senior physician Dr Mahendra Jha said, “Consumption of food products wrapped in newspapers is dangerous for health and it may lead to cancer as well.

Newspaper ink is potentially carcinogenic and its usage in wrapping food products is like taking slow poison.”

Highest consumption of poha in Indore, 90% supplied on newspapers

Swami said, “Indoreans consume poha daily and most of the shopkeepers use newspapers to serve poha. The FSSAI has not banned usage yet but we have directed the shopkeepers to use good quality paper for the purpose.”

He said that many shopkeepers use quality paper and increase in awareness will help them to use quality paper for serving edible.

Public Reaction

“It is a good move by FSSAI to spread awareness about the bad practices which are harmful for health. We should also start informing people about the hazards of using newspaper for wrapping food products.”- Mukesh Chopadkar, Professional

“We are taking slow poison through taking food products in newspapers. It is harmful for our health and the practice must be stopped.”- Yashvardhan Ojha, Businessman

“It is good move by FSSAI but they must also inform people about other options for the same purpose so that small vendors would not be hit after banning usage of newspapers.”- Deepak Kunjeer, Professional

“People should take initiative by themselves for not using newspapers. It is not only at eateries but we also wrap food products in newspapers at our houses.”- Diksha Shukla, Interior Designer

“Usage of newspaper should be banned immediately as people understand the language of ban only. Action on shops will spread awareness than requesting people not to use it.”- Rahul Saini, Professional