Food business operators warned against wrapping food items in newspaper

The district administration has warned eateries, tea shops and shops selling food items not to pack food items or snacks in printed materials including newspapers and plastic covers.

Collector M. Asia Marian in a press release said that the Commissioner of Food Safety has issued an order prohibiting storage, distribution and sale of food articles packed in printed materials including newspapers as it would cause slow poisoning due to chemical and microbiological contamination.

The release said that eatables such as

vada, bonda, pakoda, bajji , cooked fish, meat items were packed in newspapers and plastic covers in tea shops and roadside eateries.

The release said that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had highlighted the health hazards posed by cancer-causing agents in printing ink. Vital organs and immune systems are at greater risk of acquiring cancer-related complications if they are exposed to food packed in such materials, the release warned. Hence, the Collector asked not to use those materials.

Complaints related to food items can be lodged at the WhatsApp number 94440-42322.