Well, it happens! A South African tradition in many communities, you’ll find many food items wrapped in newspaper. Some of us enjoy the convenience, not knowing how harmful it is.
In all these years we have seen this happen, some of us have never stopped to ask if newspapers are harmful when used to wrap food or not.
You would think, no one you know has ever been killed by this practice, but are you sure that it hasn’t contributed to other illnesses?
According to Food24, wrapping food in newspapers is extremely harmful and an unhealthy practice. “Printing inks may also contain harmful colours, pigments, binders, additives, and preservatives.”
“The five-tiered statement goes further to explain that the contaminants and pathogens in printing ink pose a particular risk to old people, teenagers, children and people with compromised vital organs and immune systems, potentially resulting in cancer,” Food24 adds.
Only My Health extensive research says the ink residue is especially dangerous and can cause a major disruption for women’s reproductive cycle. Most newspapers are recycled papers and are composed of printing ink residues. They are stored from earlier printing processes and the trapped in residues are loaded with hormone disrupting elements in the form of benzophenones and mineral oils.
When you buy street food, take precautionary measures, yes, it’s good to support local street vendors but your health should come first and be a priority to you.
It is strongly advised to stay away from the toxic ink of newspapers where your food is concerned.
Also see: How to overcome eating disorders
