Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Food Safety Department has directed that food items, including fritters, must only be packaged using food-grade packing materials. The Department, in a notification, has also prohibited the use of newspapers for wrapping fried snacks such as samosas and pakoras.

The guideline has been issued due to concerns that using newspaper for packing and storing food items could lead to the contamination of food with harmful chemicals, such as lead and inks. The use of effective packaging will ensure that there is no alteration in the composition of the food.

The Food Safety Assistant Commissioner has stated that food-grade containers should be used for packaging and storing food as a safe method. The notification further emphasises that food entrepreneurs should strictly adhere to the guidelines regarding packaging materials and participate in the food safety process.