Think Twice Before Eating Street Food Wrapped In Newspaper, FSSAI Issues Warning

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As the monsoon begins to set in across parts of India, street food cravings naturally pick up. A plate of hot samosas or pakoras feels like the easiest comfort on a rainy day, often picked up on the way home or from a nearby stall. And just as familiar is the way it's served - wrapped in newspaper, oil soaking through, something most of us have never really paused to question.

Photo Credit: Image is AI-generated

But food safety rules don't see it the same way. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has repeatedly flagged this practice as unsafe and unsuitable for serving or wrapping food and the warning is getting stronger with recent inspections and enforcement drives.

FSSAI's Clear Position On Newspaper Use

FSSAI has officially advised that newspapers should not be used at any stage of food handling not for wrapping, serving, or storing.

This applies across the board:

• Street vendors
• Small food stalls
• Restaurants
• Caterers

In recent enforcement checks, authorities have again reinforced this rule, especially in busy street food zones where newspaper use is still common despite repeated warnings.

What Makes Newspaper A Problem For Food

There are two major risks highlighted in FSSAI advisories:

Chemical Transfer From Ink

Newspaper ink is not designed for food contact. It can contain:

• Dyes and pigments
• Solvents and printing chemicals

In some cases, heavy metals like lead

When food is:

• Hot
• Oily
• Freshly fried

...the chances of these substances migrating into the food increases. That's the core concern FSSAI keeps repeating - invisible contamination that builds quietly.

Hygiene And Surface Contamination

The second issue is simpler but just as important.

Newspapers:

• Pass through multiple hands before reaching food stalls
• Are exposed to dust, storage environments, and handling surfaces
• Are not sterilised or food-safe
• Even if they look clean, they are not meant to touch food directly.

FSSAI treats this as a direct hygiene risk.

Not Just Wrapping - Even Serving And Oil Absorption

One of the biggest misconceptions is that a newspaper is "okay" if it's only used briefly.

FSSAI has clarified that the restriction covers:

• Wrapping fried snacks like samosas and pakoras
• Serving food on newspaper sheets
• Using it to drain excess oil
• Temporary food storage

So even the common practice of placing fried snacks on newspaper to "soak oil" falls under unsafe handling.

The Legal Side: Why It's Not Allowed

This isn't just advisory anymore.

Food businesses are required to follow the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018. These rules clearly allow only food-grade materials for anything that comes in contact with food.

Newspaper does not qualify as food-grade packaging. So technically using newspaper for food contact violates packaging regulations.

What Happens If Rules Are Broken

In most real-world cases, enforcement starts simple.

Typical action taken:

• Warning during inspection
• Fines
• Seizure of unsafe food
• Temporary closure in repeated cases
• But the law does allow stricter action in serious situations.

Jail becomes possible only when:

• Contaminated food causes illness or harm
• There is proven negligence affecting public health
• Or repeated violations continue despite warnings

This is important: it's not about one samosa on newspaper. It's about outcomes and risk at scale.

A Small Habit, A Bigger Safety Question

A samosa wrapped in newspaper feels harmless because it has been part of everyday street food culture for years. But food safety standards are now looking at what actually transfers into what we eat, not just what looks convenient.

FSSAI's message is straightforward: food needs food-safe contact materials, even in small street setups.

So the next time you're handed a plate lined with newspaper, it's not just a style choice anymore. It's a food safety decision sitting right in front of you and the rules around it are already clear.