Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Jun 25: The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched a statewide crackdown on restaurants, food vendors and eateries using newspapers for wrapping or serving food, warning that harmful chemicals from printing ink can contaminate hot and oily food items and pose serious health risks.

Under the ‘Safe Food, Healthy Maharashtra’ campaign, the FDA has issued a food safety compliance order prohibiting the use of newspapers or printed paper for serving or packaging food. The directive also lays down several hygiene standards for the state’s food service sector.

The order applies to hotels, restaurants, dhabas, cloud kitchens, caterers and online food delivery platforms operating across Maharashtra.

FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe warned that food establishments compromising public health by serving unsafe or unhygienic food would face strict action, including imprisonment, heavy penalties, cancellation of licences and closure of establishments.

The action follows inspections carried out after advisories issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) against the use of newspapers for packing food or bringing printed paper into direct contact with food items.

According to officials, around 55 food vendors in Mumbai were inspected between June 5 and June 16. Of these, 26 outlets were found using newspapers for food packaging or serving food products, following which action was initiated under the Food Safety and Standards Act.

“Serving or wrapping fried food in newspapers might seem harmless, but it carries serious health risks. Newspaper printing ink contains toxic chemicals and heavy metals like lead. When hot or greasy food comes into contact with the print, these toxins leach directly into the meal,” FSSAI said in a post on X.

The new regulations require all food businesses to hold a valid FSSAI licence and display it prominently at their premises. Vendors have also been instructed to follow the FSSAI’s RUCO (Repurpose Used Cooking Oil) initiative for safe disposal and reuse of cooking oil.

The FDA has further mandated regular medical check-ups and FoSTaC (Food Safety Training and Certification) training for food-handling staff. Food establishments must also follow FIFO (First In, First Out) inventory management practices and use colour-coded chopping boards to maintain hygiene standards.