The Hidden Dangers of Wrapping Food in Newspapers: A Health Alert

The Hidden Dangers of Wrapping Food in Newspapers: A Health Alert



In a recent development, G Kamala Vardhana Rao, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), has raised a red flag on a common yet potentially perilous practice in India – wrapping and storing food items in newspapers. Rao's plea to consumers and vendors to cease this practice is based on the alarming health risks associated with it.


**Printed Dangers**


The peril lies in the inks used for printing newspapers, which can contain a cocktail of chemicals, including lead and heavy metals. These chemicals have the potential to leach into the food, posing severe health hazards over time. Rao emphasizes that these risks should not be underestimated.


**A Tradition Under Scrutiny**


Newspapers have traditionally been the packaging material of choice for street food vendors and snack sellers across India. Their affordability and wide availability have made them a go-to option. However, experts have long warned that the ink from newspapers can easily bleed into the food, rendering it toxic.


**An Ongoing Concern**


The FSSAI had previously cautioned against this practice, highlighting that printing inks can also contain harmful colors, pigments, binders, additives, and preservatives. Furthermore, used newspapers might carry pathogenic microorganisms that can pose additional risks to human health.


**The Wide Spectrum of Risks**


The health risks associated with consuming food contaminated with printing ink can manifest in various ways. According to FSSAI advisories, long-term exposure can result in digestive problems and severe symptoms like seizures, hyperthermia, and hypotension. Recent studies even connect chemicals found in printing ink to serious conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, kidney diseases, various cancers (including leukemia), liver failure, lung damage, and weakened bones.


**Regulations and Persistence**


Despite regulatory measures implemented by FSSAI, including strict prohibitions in 2016 and reinforced warnings in 2018, the practice of using newspapers for food packaging continues. This persistent behavior underscores the need for renewed efforts to educate both vendors and consumers about the hidden dangers lurking behind the familiar newspaper-wrapped snacks.


In conclusion, G Kamala Vardhana Rao's warning about the hazards of using newspapers to wrap and store food items is a crucial reminder of the risks we may unknowingly subject ourselves to. In the quest for convenience and cost-effectiveness, it is vital to prioritize our health and well-being. As consumers and vendors, it is our collective responsibility to heed such warnings and adopt safer alternatives, ensuring that the joy of street food doesn't come at the cost of our health.

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