Many people have fond memories of eating hot vada pav, samosas, or pakoras wrapped in newspaper.
However, India’s food safety regulator says this common practice could be harmful to your health.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has once again warned food vendors against using newspapers to wrap, serve, or store food.
The fresh advisory comes after a recent inspection involving a popular vada pav vendor in Mumbai.
According to the regulator, newspaper packaging may expose consumers to harmful chemicals that can contaminate food.
Why Does FSSAI Consider Newspaper Packaging Unsafe?
FSSAI says newspapers are not meant to come into direct contact with food.
Printing ink used in newspapers can contain chemicals, pigments, binders, and heavy metals.
When hot, oily, or moist food is wrapped in newspaper, some of these substances may transfer to the food.
Over time, consuming such contaminants may pose health risks.
Even practices that seem harmless—such as placing freshly fried snacks on newspapers to absorb excess oil—can increase the chances of contamination.
Which Foods Are Most Commonly Affected?
The warning applies to many popular street foods that are often served in newspaper packaging.
These include:
Vada pav
Samosas
Pakoras
Bhajiyas
Other fried snacks
FSSAI has clarified that newspapers should not be used for:
Wrapping food
Serving food
Covering food ingredients
Absorbing oil from freshly prepared items
Instead, vendors are encouraged to use food-grade packaging materials that are specifically designed for food safety.
What Triggered the Latest Warning?
The renewed advisory follows a food safety inspection in Mumbai where authorities reportedly noticed the use of newspapers for food packaging.
Following the inspection, officials reminded vendors that such practices violate existing food safety guidelines.
The incident has sparked discussion among both consumers and vendors, especially because newspaper-wrapped vada pav has long been a familiar sight in Mumbai’s street-food culture.
Tradition vs Food Safety
For many people, newspaper packaging is part of the nostalgic charm of roadside food stalls.
However, health experts argue that consumer safety should come before tradition.
Food safety authorities believe vendors can maintain the taste, affordability, and popularity of street food while switching to safer packaging alternatives.
The goal is not to change the food itself but to reduce avoidable health risks linked to packaging materials.
What Should Consumers Know?
The next time you buy street food, it may be worth paying attention to how it is served.
FSSAI’s message is clear: newspapers should not be used to wrap, serve, or store food.
Using food-grade packaging can help reduce contamination risks and improve overall hygiene standards.
As food safety awareness grows, both vendors and consumers are being encouraged to adopt safer practices without compromising the enjoyment of India’s favorite street foods.
