Food Manifest 
Overview Black plastic containers are widely used for food delivery and storage due to their convenience, affordability, and durability. Many people reuse them, assuming they are safe for reheating food. However, black plastic often contains chemicals and recycled materials that can pose health risks. Unlike transparent plastics, black plastic may include recycled electronics or industrial
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Key Update Researchers at Iowa State University’s Polymer and Food Protection Consortium in the United States created a resource to help the food packaging industry reduce risks from harmful chemicals in Food Contact Materials (FCMs). The Institute for the Advancement of Food and Nutrition Sciences (IAFNS) supported the study, which offers practical guidance for manufacturers
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Key Development A recent U.S. study published in Thorax has raised concern among health experts by linking ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption to a 41% increased risk of lung cancer. The researchers found that adults who consumed the highest amounts of UPFs—such as packaged bread, soda, instant noodles, ice cream, sugary cereals, and processed meats—were significantly
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In a disturbing violation of food safety norms, health officials in Kollam city shut down a roadside snack shop near SMP Palace Road after catching workers melting plastic covers from refined palm oil pouches directly into cooking oil used for frying snacks. Inspectors found half-melted plastic at the site and visibly contaminated oil. Migrant workers
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Report Despite a clear ban by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), many hotels and roadside eateries in Hubballi-Dharwad continue to indulge in unsafe food packaging, ie. single-use plastic and newspaper. FSSAI recently directed the Karnataka food safety department to investigate these violations, but the practice remains rampant. Authorities Struggle with Enforcement
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Report As Ugadi approaches Karnataka this year, Holige (a festival treat made of dough stuffed with jaggery, coconut, and lentils) is under scrutiny due to vendors using plastic sheets for its preparation and packaging. The Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) in Karnataka has raised alarms about the health risks associated with these practices. Plastic
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