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NEW DELHI :  The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has urged food vendors and establishments across the country to stop using newspapers for wrapping or serving food, citing serious health risks associated with the practice, according to an official statement on Saturday. The advisory follows a recent incident in Mumbai where a vadapav vendor was found using newspapers to pack and serve food, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said. Following the case, FSSAI, West Region, along with the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM), took joint action and issued directions to discourage similar practices across the city and region. The food safety regulator said printing inks used in newspapers contain harmful chemicals, pigments, binders and heavy metals, including lead, which can leach into food when it comes into contact with hot or oily items. Moreover, it warned that newspapers, during distribution and handling are often exposed to unhygienic conditions and may carry pathogens that can cause foodborne illnesses. Reiterating existing regulations, FSSAI said the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018, strictly prohibit the use of newspapers or similar unapproved materials for storing, wrapping or serving food. The advisory applies to all food businesses, including street vendors, restaurants, cloud kitchens, caterers, quick service restaurants, hawkers and mobile food vendors, which have been directed to use only safe and food-grade packaging materials. In addition, FSSAI urged consumers to remain vigilant and avoid consuming food served or wrapped in newspapers. FSSAI and state authorities are continuing surveillance and enforcement under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, while also promoting safe and sustainable packaging solutions in the food sector. Earlier in May, the food safety regulator issued a statutory notice to the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) over alleged unhygienic handling of utensils onboard Train No. 12223 Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT)-Ernakulam (ERS) Duronto Express, following a video circulating on social media. (Source: IANS)      

CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR : Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke said on Sunday his agitation over alleged irregularities in examinations and recruitment tests will not stop until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns. Dipke also said their protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Saturday was largely successful, with around 7,000 people participating in it, and added that the movement would now expand nationwide. The CJP founder reached his residence in the MIDC Waluj area in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district on Sunday morning and was welcomed by his family members. Later, speaking to reporters, Dipke said the agitation undertaken by the Cockroach Janata Party will not stop until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns. ”The protest we staged (at Jantar Mantar) was successful, as 6,000 to 7,000 people attended it. This agitation will go nationwide. We won’t step back till Dharmendra Pradhan resigns,” he asserted. Hundreds of protesters gathered at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Saturday under the banner of the CJP, demanding Pradhan’s resignation over alleged irregularities in examinations and recruitment tests, with Dipke delivering the message not to be “scared”. At a press conference later in the national capital, CJP spokespersons announced that they will wait for a week either for the Centre to sack Pradhan or his voluntary resignation, after which they would launch a countrywide protest. Dipke, who called for the protest, arrived in Delhi from the United States on Saturday morning, walking out of the airport carrying a copy of B R Ambedkar’s autobiography. After receiving permission from the Delhi Police, he reached Jantar Mantar. Protesters, armed with posters demanding Pradhan’s resignation, were seen wearing cockroach masks, which were being distributed at the venue. Besides demanding the education minister’s resignation, the protesters also raised slogans demanding that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stop indulging in “Hindu-Muslim” politics, and hailed the motherland with “Bharat Mata ki Jai” slogans. (Source: PTI)      

NEW DELHI : The European Union is eyeing a long-term trade and investment partnership with India’s Northeastern region to unlock its economic potential, focusing heavily on green energy, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, tea, and agri-food processing. A high-level ‘Team Europe’ delegation will arrive in Guwahati on Monday for a two-day visit, aiming to foster deeper economic collaboration with the eight Northeastern states: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura. This initiative aligns with the priorities established under the comprehensive strategic agenda agreed upon during the EU-India summit in January. The delegation’s visit signals a new chapter in EU-India collaboration, with a shared vision to unlock the North-East’s economic potential through innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth, the EU’s New Delhi mission said. The EU delegation will comprise envoys and senior representatives from EU member states, including EU Ambassador Herve Delphin, alongside European business representatives. “North-East India and Assam at its core, has enormous potential – its resources, its skilled workforce – and is already one of the fastest growing regions of India by GDP,” Delphin said. The Team Europe ambassadors will engage in a bilateral meeting with Assam’s Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, while a business delegation led by the Federation of European Businesses in India (FEBI) will also hold discussions with state officials to identify trade and investment opportunities, the EU said. The delegation will also participate in the ‘Blue Valleys: Building ecosystems and value chains between India and Europe’ workshop on Tuesday organised by the Assam government, which will bring together European and Indian businesses to explore partnerships in sustainable value chains, industries and innovation. “Through initiatives like Blue Valleys, we’re not just discussing cooperation, we’re building real, long-term business to business partnerships that will drive growth for both the EU and India,” Delphin said. “While the general contours to strengthen the EU-India ties have been finalized at the EU-India summit, it will have to take roots at the state level. The EU has a long-standing engagement with Assam and we are encouraged by the advancements we’re seeing through initiatives like the Blue Valley,” he said. The visit will also see the launch of Assam’s first Blue Valley Cluster, a new industrial hub focused on fragrances, flavours and food processing. This 4P (public-private-people-partnership) cluster will seek to connect Europe, North-East India, and Bhutan, promoting innovation, research, sustainable manufacturing, and business collaborations, according to the EU. This pilot project, led by the Assam government, is aligned with the Blue Valleys initiative which was introduced at the 2026 EU-India Summit, it said. The Blue Valley aims to promote industrial clusters, MSME linkages, and sector-specific value-chain integration between the EU and India, while ensuring economic growth and environmental sustainability. Key sectors identified under this initiative include clean energy, natural ingredients, bamboo-based industries, eco-friendly textiles, biotech, wellness, and smart manufacturing. By combining funding, skills development, and sustainability standards, the initiative seeks to create scalable business models that benefit local communities and connect them to European markets, the EU said in a statement. “The visit will focus on value chains across sectors where Europe and the State of Assam and the region as a whole share strong synergies, including renewable and green energy, sustainable urban infrastructure, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, semiconductors and electronics manufacturing, tea and agri-food processing, flavours and fragrances, and AYUSH,” it said. In addition to meetings and the Blue Valleys event, the EU delegation will visit Tata Electronics’ new semiconductor plant. This visit also highlights the importance of EU-India digital partnership under the EU-India Trade and Technology Council (TTC) and will give European investors a closer look at Assam’s business environment, infrastructure, and industry potential, the EU said. (Source: PTI)    

NEW DELHI : The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Sunday released the exam city intimation slip for the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination, scheduled to be held on June 21. Candidates can now check their allotted examination city for NEET-UG 2026. Log in with your application number and password to view and download your slip, the NTA said in a post on X. According to a public notice issued by the agency, the re-examination will be conducted in pen-and-paper mode from 2 pm to 5:15 pm across 551 cities in India and 14 cities abroad. The NTA clarified that the exam city intimation slip is not the admit card and is being issued solely to inform candidates about the city where their examination centre will be located. “This is NOT the Admit Card. It shows only your exam city. The Admit Card will be issued later,” the agency said. It said that all efforts are made by the NTA to give 1st choice city to all students. The agency further urged candidates to stay updated through its official websites for the latest announcements regarding the examination and admit card release. The NEET-UG for admissions into medical courses took place on May 3 this year but was cancelled by the NTA on May 12 amid allegations of paper leak. The CBI is currently investigating this matter, and a retest is scheduled for June 21. (Source: PTI)