Mumbai food vendors continue using newspapers despite FDA crackdown

A vada pav vendor wraps hot snacks in newspaper near Railway Colony at Sahar Cross Road, Andheri East, on Tuesday. PIC/SATEJ SHINDE

Almost two months after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) started cracking down on food establishments for using newspapers to wrap and pack food, the practice continues unabated across the city. From vada pav stalls and farsan shops to small eateries and restaurants, vendors can still be seen using newspapers to pack hot and oily food for customers.

The FDA inspected 55 food establishments and fined 26 for violating norms related to the use of newspapers for food packaging. However, locals say the inspections have failed to bring about any visible change on the ground.

"I see vendors using newspapers every day, especially for vada pav, bhajiyas, and farsan. If raids were conducted and fines were imposed, why has the practice not stopped?" said P Deshpande, a Borivli resident.

An employee of the Aram vada pav shop in Fort, shows how food is packaged in butter paper. PIC/RITIKA GONDHALEKAR

Thane resident Varsha Mulye called for regular monitoring and strict action against repeat offenders. "Authorities conduct inspections and there is a fine, but after a few days everything is back to normal.

This is also because these bad practices are so rooted in the system that people have become quite used to such things. Efforts also need to be taken to change people's mindset," she said.

‘Not feasible financially'

Vendors claim switching to alternatives, such as butter paper, is expensive and difficult for small businesses operating on thin margins. "Newspaper is easily available and costs almost nothing. Butter paper is much more expensive, and if we use it for every order, our costs will increase significantly. If using newspaper is so harmful, why can't the government provide butter paper to us at cheaper rates? We will happily make the switch," said Mamta Todankar, who runs a vada pav and bhajji stall in Dadar West.

Cost difference

A vada pav vendor packs a snack in newspaper in Thane West. PIC/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

Raju Singh, who works as a manager in a famous farsan outlet, told mid-day, "A sheet of butter paper costs Rs 10 to Rs 15. With that sheet we can pack a maximum of one kg of farsan. One kg of newspaper, comprising at least 25 editions, from a raddiwala costs between Rs 13 and Rs 16, and we can pack one kg of farsan in just a half page. Thus, an expense which matters even to a big outlet like ours will definitely put a huge hole in the pockets of smaller vendors."

Compliance aram se

Kaustubh Tambe, owner of the Aram vada pav shop, said his establishment uses green paper manufactured by ITC. "First, we wrap parcels in this particular paper and then place it in a paper or reusable plastic bag. This way our food never touches hazardous paper. Of course, the cost is higher. The paper comes in three sizes: The smallest to pack one vada pav, medium to wrap two and the biggest to wrap up to six. The smallest sheet costs us Rs 1.5. Some proportion of cost is thus pushed to the customers. But in the end, they are paying that tiny bit extra to safeguard their health."

Authorities' response

Stating that change is happening slowly, FDA Joint Commissioner PS Singarwar said, "It's a big city, and we are a very small team. We don't have sufficient manpower to conduct hundreds of inspections daily. But we are doing our best to ensure change comes in. This is not something that can be improved overnight. Now that we have stronger leadership, we are at least able to crack the whip on violators. Regarding newspaper usage, the fines start from Rs 25,000. As far as those who have already been inspected, follow-up checks showed they have switched to butter paper. So, change is definitely happening. A complete washout, however, will take some time."

Medical experts weigh in

Dr Preetam Jain, medical and paediatric hemato-oncologist, Saifee Hospital, Mumbai
‘The main issue is the substances in the ink which can come in contact with eatables. This makes the food unsafe to eat. Some such chemicals can damage the cells and DNA inside them. If someone is exposed to them often, it can increase the chance of getting cancer.

However, just because someone eats food wrapped in a newspaper once, it does not mean they will get cancer, as one-time exposure is not enough to cause it. Food-grade paper, packaging, and proper containers are much better for keeping food safe'

Dr Amit Maydeo, chairman, Institute of Gastrosciences, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital
‘Printing inks can contain chemicals, pigments and, depending on the material, traces of heavy metals and other substances that may migrate into food. Repeated exposure to such contaminants is certainly something we should avoid. From a gastrointestinal perspective, the more immediate concern can also be contamination.

Newspapers pass through multiple hands and surfaces and are not manufactured or stored as food-grade materials. Bacteria, viruses and other pathogens can contaminate the paper and subsequently the food. If the food is already cooked and then contaminated, this can potentially result in food-borne illness, with symptoms such as abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.

There is also a common misconception that the stomach will simply neutralise everything that enters it. The gastrointestinal tract is remarkably resilient, but it is not designed to repeatedly handle chemicals or contaminants that have no place in our food chain'

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[popcorn number="26" desc="No of shops fined for using newspapers to pack food" class="Default"]