Overview
- FSSAI’s Western Region has directed all food business operators to immediately stop using newspapers or similar printed material for packing, wrapping or serving food.
- The directive followed a Mumbai case in which a vada pav vendor was found using newspapers and led FSSAI and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to carry out joint inspections.
- FSSAI warns that newspaper inks contain chemicals, pigments, binders and heavy metals such as lead that can migrate into hot, oily or moist food and pose long‑term health risks.
- Inspectors have been educating vendors about approved alternatives such as food‑grade paper and butter or parchment paper, and officials said repeat violations may trigger penalties under food‑safety laws.
- The regulator framed the action within existing rules under the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018, and said authorities will continue surveillance while promoting safer, sustainable packaging options.