Absolutely do not buy food wrapped in this stuff because it is toxic and just as harmful as plastic bags.

Besides plastic bags, there is one thing we absolutely should not use to wrap food because it is very toxic and can easily cause many dangerous diseases.

For a long time, using newspaper to wrap food has been a common sight in daily life. From loaves of bread or dumplings, sticky rice… hastily wrapped in newspaper has become a familiar breakfast for many people. This seemingly economical and convenient habit is silently causing many hidden diseases, seriously affecting health.

Wrapping food with newspaper is really dangerous and affects your health. (Illustration photo)

Using newspaper to wrap food is as harmful as plastic bags.

Although it is very toxic, walking through densely populated areas such as neighborhoods, markets, wharves, bus stations, etc., it is easy to see vendors selling sticky rice, bread, and fried foods (such as potato cakes, donuts, etc.) using newspapers and printed paper to wrap food for customers.

Using these types of used paper helps save costs compared to buying containers. Therefore, newspapers and old printing paper are often used to wrap food, even hot, greasy food that has just been processed. Not many people care about their effects on health.

Recently, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a warning against using newspapers for serving, packaging and preserving food. Accordingly, the ink used in newspapers may contain harmful colors and additives. If used, it will cause food to be contaminated with metal impurities and toxic chemicals.

Many people are unknowingly bringing disease into their bodies because of this habit. (Illustration photo).

"The practice of wrapping food in newspapers is not good for the health of consumers, especially if the food is cooked," FSSAI warned.

More specifically, the ink used to print newspapers, books, etc., whether in color or black and white, contains lead compounds, which pose a high risk of harm to human health. When newspapers are used to wrap food, this ink will seep into the food. When absorbed into the body, it will be toxic to the central nervous system, liver, blood, bones, and reproductive system of both men and women.

Printing ink contains lead compounds (Pb) , which are toxic and can easily cause genetic mutations in cells and affect the body's genetic process. Lead is also toxic to the nervous system, reproductive system, and internal organs such as the liver, kidneys, brain, and blood.

We need to immediately stop the habit of using newspaper to wrap food to protect our health. (Illustration photo).

Even more dangerous, lead toxins are not dissolved in water or oxidized, so once they enter the body, they will be absorbed and stored by tissues such as fat, brain, liver, etc., making them very difficult to eliminate. If the human body contains about 0.5 - 2 mg of this poison, there will be signs of poisoning such as swollen eyelids, sweaty palms, nausea, etc.

FSSAI warns that the elderly, adolescents, children and those suffering from diseases related to internal organs or immune system will be in the high-risk group of developing cancer if they regularly eat foods packaged in newspapers.

Furthermore, newspapers or printed paper used to wrap and line food are often old newspapers. These newspapers go through many stages of printing, transportation, and passing through many hands, so they will be contaminated with bacteria. The absorbent properties of newspapers are very good, so bacteria can easily hide on the surface of the newspaper, causing them to stick to food and cause illness to those who eat them.

Although convenient, this habit will greatly affect the health of the whole family. (Illustration photo).

Is there an alternative to using newspaper to wrap food?

The answer is yes. To ensure the health of the whole family, you should prioritize using some types of leaves grown on plants to package food. They are very safe and environmentally friendly such as banana leaves, dong leaves, coconut leaves, lotus leaves. containing phenol groups that inhibit bacteria and are easily decomposed in the soil.

These leaves are extremely clean, have a characteristic aroma, soft, smooth texture, and a smooth surface so they don't attract dust and don't retain water. Therefore, you just need to wash them and wipe them clean to be able to use them to wrap food very safely.

In addition, when buying goods and encountering sellers using newspaper, absolutely say no or ask them to change to another form of packaging. If possible, bring high-quality plastic boxes, glass containers, small bags, etc. from home to store food purchased for take-out.