FSSAI bans newspaper food packaging, cites lead and pathogen risks
Synopsis
FSSAI's nationwide ban on newspaper food wrapping is a reminder that one of India's most common street-food habits — the newspaper-wrapped snack — is also one of its most quietly toxic. Lead from printing ink leaching into a hot samosa or oily vadapav is not a hypothetical; it is a documented chemical reaction that regulators have now formally acted on.
Key Takeaways
FSSAI issued a nationwide advisory on 6 June 2025 banning the use of newspapers for food wrapping or serving.
The action was triggered by a Mumbai vadapav vendor found packaging food in newspapers, prompting joint action by FSSAI West Region and MCGM .
Newspaper printing inks contain heavy metals including lead that can leach into hot or oily food.
The Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018 already prohibit such practices; the advisory reinforces compliance.
The ban applies to all food businesses — street vendors, restaurants, cloud kitchens, caterers, hawkers, and mobile food vendors.
In May 2025 , FSSAI also issued a statutory notice to IRCTC over unhygienic utensil handling on the LTT–Ernakulam Duronto Express .
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on 6 June 2025 issued a nationwide advisory directing all food vendors and establishments to immediately stop using newspapers for wrapping or serving food, warning that the practice poses serious health hazards. The advisory, released via an official statement, follows enforcement action triggered by a recent incident in Mumbai.
What Triggered the Advisory
A vadapav vendor in Mumbai was found using newspapers to pack and serve food, prompting FSSAI West Region, in coordination with the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM), to take joint enforcement action. Directions were subsequently issued to discourage similar practices across the city and the western region. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare confirmed the incident and the regulatory response.
The Health Risks Explained
FSSAI flagged two distinct hazard pathways. First, printing inks used in newspapers contain harmful chemicals, pigments, binders, and heavy metals including lead, which can leach directly into food — particularly hot or oily items — upon contact. Second, newspapers are routinely exposed to unhygienic conditions during distribution and handling, making them potential carriers of pathogens capable of causing foodborne illnesses.
What the Regulations Say
The advisory reiterates existing law: the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018, explicitly prohibit the use of newspapers or any similar unapproved material for storing, wrapping, or serving food. The directive covers the full spectrum of food businesses — street vendors, restaurants, cloud kitchens, caterers, quick service restaurants, hawkers, and mobile food vendors — all of whom are required to switch to food-grade packaging materials.
Consumer Responsibility and Enforcement
FSSAI has also urged consumers to stay vigilant and refuse food served in newspapers. Surveillance and enforcement are ongoing under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, with state food safety authorities coordinating inspections. The regulator said it is simultaneously promoting safe and sustainable packaging alternatives across the sector.
FSSAI's Recent Enforcement Pattern
This advisory is part of a broader enforcement push by FSSAI in recent weeks. In May 2025, the regulator issued a statutory notice to the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) over alleged unhygienic handling of utensils aboard Train No. 12223 Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT)–Ernakulam (ERS) Duronto Express, after a video of the alleged lapse circulated on social media. Together, the two actions signal a sharper regulatory posture on food hygiene at both street and institutional levels.
Point of View
But the penalty structure and inspection frequency that would actually change vendor behaviour at scale remain unclear. FSSAI's parallel action against IRCTC signals institutional ambition, but street-level compliance will require sustained district-level enforcement, not just press releases from the West Region office.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has FSSAI banned using newspapers to wrap food?
FSSAI has banned newspaper food wrapping because printing inks contain harmful chemicals and heavy metals, including lead, that can leach into food — especially hot or oily items. Newspapers also carry pathogens from unhygienic handling during distribution, posing a risk of foodborne illness.
Is using newspaper for food packaging already illegal in India?
Yes. The Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018 explicitly prohibit the use of newspapers or similar unapproved materials for storing, wrapping, or serving food. The June 2025 advisory reinforces and reiterates this existing legal prohibition.
Who does the FSSAI advisory apply to?
The advisory applies to all food businesses operating in India, including street vendors, restaurants, cloud kitchens, caterers, quick service restaurants, hawkers, and mobile food vendors. All are directed to use only safe, food-grade packaging materials.
What incident prompted FSSAI to issue this advisory?
A vadapav vendor in Mumbai was found using newspapers to pack and serve food. FSSAI West Region and the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai took joint enforcement action, which led to the broader national advisory being issued on 6 June 2025.
What other food safety action has FSSAI taken recently?
In May 2025, FSSAI issued a statutory notice to IRCTC over alleged unhygienic handling of utensils aboard Train No. 12223, the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus–Ernakulam Duronto Express, after a video of the alleged lapse spread on social media.
