The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Western Region, has directed all food business operators (FBOs) to immediately stop using newspapers for packing, wrapping, or serving food, citing potential health risks from printing inks, chemicals and contaminants that may transfer to food.
The advisory follows a recent incident in Mumbai where a vada pav vendor was found using newspaper as food packaging, prompting joint action by the FSSAI and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Officials have reiterated that newspapers are not food-grade materials and their use violates food safety norms.
The move affects a wide range of stakeholders, including street food vendors, small eateries, consumers, municipal authorities and food regulators.
While vendors may face higher packaging costs as they transition to approved alternatives, authorities say consumer safety must remain paramount.
The latest development signals stricter enforcement and heightened inspections across the region to curb a practice that remains widespread despite repeated warnings.
FSSAI Warns Against Risks
The latest directive from the FSSAI’s Western Region has brought renewed attention to a long-standing food safety concern that continues to be visible across India’s streets, markets and small food establishments.
The advisory was issued after a Mumbai-based vada pav vendor reportedly used newspaper sheets to pack food items, a practice that remains common despite regulatory restrictions.
Following the incident, officials from the FSSAI and the BMC reportedly undertook joint action and reiterated that newspapers should never come into direct contact with food.
According to food safety authorities, newspaper ink contains various chemical substances, including pigments, solvents, additives and mineral oils, which may migrate onto food, particularly when it is hot, oily or moist.
Foods such as vada pav, samosas, pakoras, bhajiyas and other fried snacks are especially vulnerable because heat and oil can accelerate the transfer of contaminants from paper to food. In addition to ink-related risks, newspapers are often produced using recycled paper that may contain residues of industrial chemicals, adhesives, dyes and heavy metals.
Officials have emphasised that the issue goes beyond hygiene and enters the realm of public health. The FSSAI has consistently maintained that packaging materials must be food-grade, clean and designed to prevent contamination.
Newspapers fail to meet these standards and therefore cannot be used for serving or packaging food. While no fresh official statement linked specifically to the latest Mumbai action was publicly highlighted in the information available, the advisory reinforces the regulator’s established position that newspapers and other printed materials are unsuitable for direct food contact and may pose risks to consumers over time.
The warning is particularly significant because newspaper packaging is often viewed as a harmless and economical solution by vendors. However, experts caution that repeated exposure to contaminants through food may contribute to long-term health concerns, especially among children, pregnant women, elderly people and those with compromised immunity. By issuing a fresh advisory, authorities appear to be signalling a stronger commitment to enforcement and public awareness.
Mumbai Incident Sparks Scrutiny
The Mumbai episode has become a focal point in a broader conversation about food safety standards and compliance among food businesses. While the incident involved a single vendor, officials have suggested that it reflects a much larger and deeply entrenched practice across India.
Newspapers continue to be widely used to wrap snacks, line serving trays and package takeaway food because they are inexpensive, readily available and familiar to vendors operating on thin profit margins.
For many small businesses and street food operators, shifting to approved food-grade packaging materials may involve additional costs. Alternatives such as butter paper, food-grade wrapping sheets, certified paper products and food-safe containers are often more expensive than recycled newspapers.
Nevertheless, regulators have stressed that economic convenience cannot outweigh consumer safety. The latest advisory is expected to encourage vendors to review their packaging practices and adopt safer materials that comply with food safety regulations.
The incident also highlights increasing collaboration between food safety authorities and local civic bodies. Municipal agencies such as the BMC play a crucial role in conducting inspections, monitoring compliance and taking action against violations.
Joint enforcement initiatives allow authorities to identify unsafe practices more effectively and improve adherence to food safety standards. Industry observers expect inspections and awareness campaigns to intensify in the coming weeks as authorities seek to ensure compliance with the advisory.
The crackdown forms part of a wider push by regulators to strengthen food safety across the country. In recent years, authorities have focused not only on food quality and adulteration but also on packaging, storage, transportation and hygiene practices throughout the food supply chain.
The newspaper packaging issue demonstrates how a seemingly routine habit can have broader implications for public health. It also underscores the importance of consumer awareness, as customers increasingly demand hygienic packaging and safer food handling practices from businesses.
Expert Take: Safe Packaging
Food safety experts have welcomed the FSSAI’s latest advisory, noting that packaging is often an overlooked aspect of food hygiene despite playing a critical role in consumer health.
They point out that while considerable attention is given to food preparation, storage and ingredients, the materials used to wrap, serve and transport food can also become a source of contamination.
According to experts, newspapers are not designed for direct food contact and may contain printing inks, dyes, adhesives and chemical residues that can migrate into food, particularly when exposed to heat, oil or moisture.
Experts further emphasise that repeated exposure to such contaminants may pose greater risks over time, especially for children, pregnant women, older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems.
They recommend that food businesses, irrespective of size, switch to approved food-grade alternatives such as butter paper, parchment paper, certified wrapping sheets and food-safe containers.
Beyond enforcement, experts stress the importance of awareness campaigns, training programmes and affordable packaging solutions to help small vendors transition smoothly.
They also encourage consumers to be vigilant about how their food is packaged and to support businesses that follow safe and hygienic practices.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Food safety is not merely a regulatory requirement; it is a shared responsibility between authorities, businesses and consumers. The FSSAI’s latest advisory serves as an important reminder that everyday practices, even those rooted in convenience and tradition, must evolve when evidence points to potential risks. Street food and small eateries are an integral part of India’s social and cultural fabric, providing affordable meals and livelihoods to millions.
At the same time, consumers have a right to safe food and transparent practices. Stronger enforcement, coupled with education and support, can help create a food ecosystem where public health is protected without undermining the livelihoods of small businesses. Constructive dialogue between regulators, civic bodies, vendors and citizens will be essential to ensuring that food safety measures are both effective and equitable.
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