The toxic chemicals and inks used in printing newspapers can leach into food, potentially leading to severe health issues such as cancer. This is particularly concerning given the escalating cancer rates in India.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), India recorded 14.1 lakh new cancer cases last year, resulting in 9.1 lakh deaths. One of the significant contributing factors is the ingestion of harmful chemicals found in contaminated food products.
Consumers are often unaware of the risks posed by food packed in newspapers. Items like cakes, bakery goods, and fried snacks, which are commonly wrapped in newspapers, absorb the inks and chemicals from the printing process. These items, especially those high in sugar, are highly susceptible to contamination from various inks, including those containing harmful substances like lead.
In food joints, it is routine to see items such as ‘bhajji’, ‘bonda’,’samosa’, and traditional dishes like ‘idli’, ‘dosa’, and ‘baath’ being wrapped in newspapers. While some vendors attempt to use plastic sheets or banana leaves as alternatives, these measures are often inadequate to prevent the harmful effects of newspaper ink.
Health experts recommend using safer alternatives like butter papers, which cost between Rs. 15 and Rs. 20, for food packaging. However, many food vendors opt for newspapers to reduce costs, disregarding the significant health risks involved.
Raising awareness is critical to ending this unhealthy practice. Consumers need to be informed about the dangers of food wrapped in newspapers and encouraged to reject such packaging.
FSSAI officials are actively working to address the issue. Commercial establishments have been warned against using newspapers for packing food products. Continued non-compliance will result in strict action and higher fines.
The FSSAI’s crackdown underscores the urgent need for strict enforcement and compliance to protect public health. It is crucial for both vendors and consumers to take this issue seriously to prevent the widespread consumption of food contaminated with harmful chemicals.