Maharashtra has issued a statewide food safety order banning the practice of serving food in newspapers, citing serious health risks associated with ink contamination and poor hygiene. The move, announced in June 2026, is part of the government’s broader effort to strengthen food safety standards across the state.
For years, small eateries, street vendors and household kitchens have substituted newspapers for plates or wrapping. But experts have said newspaper ink is toxic in nature, with heavy metals that can get into the food and cause long-term health problems. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of Maharashtra said it had to be done in order to avoid food poisoning, digestive problems and even cancer.
The new order requires food businesses, restaurants and vendors to use food-grade packaging materials or clean utensils instead of newspapers. The penalties will be severe: fines and even the suspension of licenses. District governments have also been directed to conduct surprise inspections and other steps to make sure they are in compliance.
Public health experts welcomed the change, saying that newspapers have long served food in a way that is dangerous. “The ink used in newspapers is not meant for human consumption. When hot or oily food comes into contact with it, harmful substances can easily transfer,” a senior FDA official said.
The order also aligns Maharashtra with national food safety guidelines issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) which has long discouraged the use of newspapers for food service. Maharashtra’s ban is a model for other states to follow in order to strengthen India’s commitment to a healthier food safety system.
But vendors and small businesses have voiced concern about the rising cost of food-grade packaging, which is more expensive than newspapers. So the government is considering subsidies and awareness campaigns to help vendors make their way through the transition. Consumer health is the priority over costs, and the long-term benefits of safer food practices outweigh short-term challenges, officials said.
Maharashtra’s ban on serving food in newspapers is a decisive step toward improving food safety and public health. By eliminating a common but hazardous practice, the state aims to protect millions of consumers and set higher standards for hygiene and packaging in the food industry.
