Public Health Ministry Urges Vendors to Stop Using Newspaper as Food Wrapping—Consumers Risk Exposure to Lead and Printing Dyes
Thailand's Public Health Ministry is warning food vendors to stop wrapping food in newspaper, which can transfer lead, heavy metals, and printing dyes—especially when in contact with hot or fatty foods.
The Public Health Ministry is urging food vendors to stop using newspaper for wrapping food due to health hazards. According to Dr. Amporn Benjpalsupphakit, Director-General of the Public Health Ministry, newspaper is not food-grade material and may contain residual substances from printing processes and ink, including lead, heavy metals, hydrocarbons from printing ink, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and chemical dyes that can transfer to food.
The contamination risk is particularly high when newspaper contacts hot or fatty foods such as fried rice, fried items, or grilled sticky rice, either directly or through inadequate barrier materials. Even when some vendors use plastic liners, if these are not food-grade or fail to fully prevent contact with food, the risk persists. The ministry strongly recommends that vendors immediately cease using newspaper for food wrapping.
The Public Health Ministry advises consumers to prioritize foods that meet food safety standards, starting with safe packaging, and to purchase from certified vendors. The ministry calls on food business operators to cooperate by eliminating newspaper use for food wrapping and urges the public to choose clean, safe, and standardized food options for long-term health benefits.
