Newspaper should not be used for wrapping, serving or storing food, particularly hot, oily or moist foods, as printing inks and contaminants may migrate into food.
A common practice of wrapping snacks and ready-to-eat foods in newspapers is once again drawing attention from food-safety experts. Recent health guidance highlights the potential risks associated with direct contact between food and printed newspaper, particularly when the food is hot, oily or moist.
According to experts cited in recent reporting, heat and oil can increase the possibility of substances migrating from paper or printing inks into food. Used newspapers can also introduce microbial contamination.
Why Is Newspaper Unsuitable for Food Packaging?
Newspaper is designed for printing and reading—not for direct food contact. Printing inks may contain pigments, additives and other chemical substances that are not intended to migrate into food.
The risk can become more significant when:
- Hot food is placed directly on printed newspaper.
- Oily or greasy food comes into contact with the paper.
- Food remains wrapped for an extended period.
- Used newspapers are reused as food wrappers or serving sheets.
India's Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has previously warned against using newspapers for wrapping, serving, storing, transporting or dispensing food.
This issue highlights an important principle of food-contact packaging: a material that looks clean is not necessarily food-safe.
Packaging materials intended for direct food contact must be appropriately designed and controlled for their intended application. Food-safe paper, parchment/baking paper, stainless-steel containers, glass containers and appropriately specified food-grade packaging materials are safer alternatives for food handling and transportation.
For packaging manufacturers and food businesses, the story reinforces the importance of:
Food-contact compliance → Appropriate material selection → Migration control → Safe printing systems → Correct packaging application
As consumers increasingly focus on food safety, packaging cannot be considered merely a carrier or wrapping material. The packaging itself is part of the food-safety chain.