Food, Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) said that the food items which are wrapped in newspaper have negative effects on health as the ink contains multiple bioactive compounds harming the immune system in the children, teenagers and in adults. // "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," said in an advisory, by the FSSAI .
‘Stop vendors from selling food in newspapers to prevent cancer-related health problems.’
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"Printing inks may also contain harmful colors, pigments, binders, additives, and preservatives. Besides chemical contaminants, presence of pathogenic micro organisms in used newspapers also poses potential risk to human health," the advisory said. The advisory also said that even paper/cardboard boxes made of recycled paper may be contaminated with harmful chemicals like phthalate which can cause digestive problems and also lead to severe toxicity.
"Older people, teenagers, children and people with compromised vital organs and immune systems are at a greater risk of acquiring cancer-related health complications, if they are exposed to food packed in such material," the advisory warned.
The advisory comes after Health Minister J.P. Nadda's directions to the food regulatory authority against the practice of wrapping and covering food items in newspapers in India.
Speaking in this regard J.P Nadda said: "It has been observed that vendors have been using newspapers in packing and serving food, which is harmful. I urge the public to dissuade the vendors from doing so."
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