The Kerala Food Safety Department has directed that food items – like samosa, peanuts, or fritters, should only be packaged using food-grade packing materials and not the widely popular newspapers. In a notification, the department has prohibited the use of newspapers for wrapping fried snacks due to concerns that it leads to quicker contamination of food with harmful chemicals – like lead and ink. The use of effective packaging will ensure that there is no alteration in the composition of the food.
According to the Food Safety Assistant Commissioner, the department notification emphasizes that food entrepreneurs should strictly adhere to the guidelines regarding packaging materials and participate in the food safety process. What are the health hazards of using newspapers for wrapping? Experts say, even though street food culture brings in a vibrant and congenial environment for local businesses and has an important role in preserving food heritage – it also spreads various illnesses. It is important to adopt hygienic practices and ensure food safety while handling food.
Most street foods, popular among teenagers and children, carry potential health risks from the ink in the newspaper and have a detrimental impact in the growing-up years. Also, doctors say the cumulative buildup of dust and contamination in newspapers makes it a home for all kinds of pathogens—viruses, bacteria, and fungi – spreading E. Coli infection which leads to dangerous symptoms like: Diarrho.