Why You Should Avoid Wrapping Food In Newspaper?

Avoid Using Newspaper To Wrap & Serve Food...

 

Wrapping and packing of food items in a newspaper is a common sight in India. Many street vendors & hoteliers wrap food items in a newspaper in order to lower their serving and packaging cost. Indian households also use newspaper in their kitchens to wipe out excess oil from the food items. There is lack of awareness on the issue and concrete steps needs to be taken to disseminate the knowledge among masses to discourage and eliminate the practice of using newspaper for food wrapping.

  

Recently Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), India’s food regulation body issued an advisory which said “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”.

Here are some potential harmful effects of newspaper ink:

1. Ink contamination: Newspaper ink may contain harmful chemicals that can transfer onto food or surfaces, posing health risks. Using newspaper to wrap food, fruits, or vegetables is not recommended due to potential health risks. Newspaper ink may contain harmful chemicals such as lead, cadmium, and other toxins that can transfer onto the food and be ingested. These substances can pose serious health hazards, especially when consumed over time or in large quantities.

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4. Skin Irritation: Handling newspapers with ink can sometimes cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, particularly if they have prolonged contact with the ink.

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6. Respiratory Issues: Inhaling the fumes from heated newspaper ink (such as when used in art or craft projects) can irritate the respiratory system and may cause symptoms like coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath.

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8. Food Contamination: If food comes into direct contact with newspaper ink, there is a risk of ink transfer onto the food. Ingesting ink particles can be harmful, especially if they contain toxic substances.

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10. Environmental Impact: The production and disposal of newspapers, including their ink, can have environmental consequences such as pollution of air, water, and soil.

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1. Bacteria transfer: Newspapers are not sterile and may harbor bacteria that can contaminate food or surfaces.
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3. Unpleasant odor: The ink and paper of newspapers can emit an unpleasant odor, especially when in contact with food.
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5. Risk of fire: Newspapers are flammable and can pose a fire hazard if used near open flames or hot surfaces.
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7. Wrapping vegetables & fruit : Wrapping vegetables in newspaper and storing them in the refrigerator is not an ideal practice for several reasons:

Food safety concerns: Newspaper ink may contain harmful chemicals that can leach into the vegetables, especially if they are moist or have high acidity. This can potentially lead to food contamination.

Moisture retention: Newspaper can absorb moisture from the vegetables, leading to wilting or decay. Vegetables generally need a certain level of moisture to stay fresh, and using newspaper can disrupt this balance .

Lack of ventilation: Proper ventilation is essential for keeping vegetables fresh in the refrigerator. Wrapping them tightly in newspaper can restrict airflow, promoting the growth of mold and bacteria.

Unpleasant taste and odor: Newspaper can impart its own taste and odor to the vegetables, affecting their flavor and quality.

 

Instead of using newspaper, it's better to store vegetables in perforated plastic bags or reusable vegetable storage bags specifically designed for this purpose. These bags allow for airflow while maintaining the right level of humidity to keep the vegetables fresh longer. Alternatively, you can also store some vegetables uncovered in the refrigerator, such as carrots and celery, which can help preserve their crispness.

It's is always best to use food-safe materials such as wax paper, parchment paper, or food-grade plastic wrap when wrapping food items. These materials are specifically designed for food contact and are less likely to introduce harmful substances into your food. Overall, while newspaper can be convenient for certain tasks in the kitchen, it's important to be cautious about its use, especially when it comes to food contact.