How Newspaper Ink can contaminate food

Buying hot samosas Pakoras, jalebis and other fried snacks from the market is common.

Many shopkeepers wrap these foods in old newspapers before handing them to customers. However this common practice may pose serious health risks.

Health experts warn that using newspapers or ordinary printed paper to pack food is unsafe. Chemicals from printing ink can transfer to food especially when it is hot or oily.

Newspaper ink is made for printing purposes and is not designed to come into contact with food. When hot or fried items are placed on newspaper heat and oil may cause harmful chemicals in the ink to mix with the food.

She said that printing ink may contain substances such as lead, solvents and other chemicals. If these substances enter the body through food they may cause health problems.

Exposure to lead and other harmful chemicals can affect the nervous system and may contribute to health issues including anaemia. Children and pregnant women may face greater risks from exposure.

Chemicals may affect the liver and brain. Apart from the printing ink newspapers can carry dust, dirt and germs because they pass through different factories, shops streets and people’s hands before reaching customers. This means that wrapping food in newspapers may expose people to both chemical and bacterial contamination.

What should you use instead of Newspaper?

People to avoid wrapping hot snacks samosas, pakoras and other food items in newspapers or ordinary printed paper.

Instead people should choose safer food packaging materials such as.

Butter paper

•Use food safe butter paper for wrapping snacks.

Aluminium foil

Suitable for packing certain hot food items.

Food grade packaging

•Choose materials specifically made for food storage and packaging.

•Safe containers Prefer stainless steel or glass containers for storing food.

•People should also avoid using unsuitable plastic materials for hot food.

A small change can help protect your health

Wrapping food in newspapers may seem like a harmless everyday habit but it can create unnecessary health risks.  Choosing proper food grade packaging is a simple way to reduce possible exposure to harmful chemicals and contamination.

The next time you buy hot samosas or pakoras make sure they are packed in food safe material rather than newspaper.