Food wrapped in newspapers can cause poisoning if consumed

Roadside chhole-kulche served on a newspaper plate, bhelpuri served in a newspaper cone, break pakoras served on newspaper plates--all of this and more is causing your stomach to get upset repeatedly, without you even realising it.

Last year, the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) had banned the use of newspapers for wrapping, packing, serving and storing food items. It even directed commissioners of food safety of all States and Union territories to take necessary steps to ensure the same.

More recently, The Pune Cantonment Board issued a public notice advising people to avoid eating food (especially fried) packed in newspapers.

What we don't realise is, the printing ink on that newspaper contains harmful chemicals--dyes, alcohol, pigments,



binders, preservatives and additives. When consumed in small quantities, these substances cause minor stomach upsets. An overdose, however, can cause stomach poisoning and repeated, regular consumption can lead to cancer-related health complications. Older people and children are at a greater risk of being poisoned this way, because their immune system is weaker.

"Wrapping food in newspapers is an unhealthy practice, and the consumption of such food is injurious to health, even if the food has been cooked hygienically," the Food, Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) said in an advisory, reports The Logical Indian.

So, the next time you're out and about and feel like indulging in street food, steer absolutely clear of newspapers!