Nutritionists and public health physicians in Nigeria are warning people against consuming food wrapped in newspapers or leaflets due to associated health risks. Experts are cautioning that food wrapped in printed papers may contain toxic substances such as lead, which has been linked to kidney damage, digestive disorders, weakened immune systems, and cancer.
According to these professionals, the ink used in newspapers and leaflets can contain harmful pathogenic microorganisms, posing a danger to human health. They emphasized the importance of avoiding newspaper-wrapped foods and recommended safer alternatives like aluminum foil or corn wraps.
The former National Chairman of the Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria has explained that the ink can contaminate food and cause health problems like cancer. According to him, the ink falls off the paper into the greasy food, which can also cause indigestion and food poisoning.
“Consumers should simply not use newspapers to wrap food. In the alternatives, papers without ink can be used. Safer alternatives are papers without ink. Also, wax paper can be used to wrap food. Aluminum foil can also be used to wrap food,” he noted.
The Chief Dietitian at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Olufunmilola Ogunmiluyi, has said that toxic material like lead can harm the production of blood cells and absorption of calcium needed for strong bones and teeth, muscle movements, nerves, and blood vessels. While stressing the importance of avoiding newspaper-wrapped foods, she added, “It is not safe at all to eat food wrapped in newspaper when considering food safety hazards.
“The ink used in newspapers contains harmful colors, pigments, binders, additives, and preservatives that can make the food unhealthy even if it is cooked healthily. There are lots of associated health risks when eating food wrapped in newspapers. It can cause serious health issues. The ink used in newspapers contains hazardous chemicals.
“The main chemicals used to produce newsprint inks are pigments, resins, solvents, and drying agents that may affect the quality of food, increase the risk of digestive disorders, toxicity, cancer, can weaken the immune system, and may cause the failure of vital organs because these chemicals are not meant to be consumed.
“Newspapers also contain a toxic material called lead, which is a naturally occurring toxic metal found in the earth’s crust. Some of the chemicals in the ink newspaper can also cause cancer. The printing ink contains various bioactive materials that can be harmful and which can contaminate food and lead to health issues when ingested.”