People are realising the reason fish and chips used to be wrapped in newspaper, as fans say the classic ‘tasted better’
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A FISH and chips shop has spilled the beans on why the British classic really used to come wrapped in newspaper - as foodies claim it ''tasted better''. Sankey's Seafood Restaurant and Pub in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, dropped the knowledge bombs about the origins of the newspaper tradition.
![[Man gesturing towards fish and chips.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/46663d21-30c6-44fe-a6d5-dceae09ea07b.jpg?strip=all&w=576)
Sharing the insights on TikTok, staff member Matthew explored the ''rich and fascinating history'' behind the practice. According to the foodie, the original reason was due to a shortage of paper during World War Two - but it was later outlawed due to health concerns.
![[Man in pink shirt sitting at a table, looking at a newspaper.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/765d0254-a568-40b9-9f4d-afc955250480.jpg?strip=all&w=576)
He said in the informative video: ''It all started back in World War Two, when there was a shortage of paper, so fish and chip shops would wrap your fish and chips to takeaway in used newspapers. ''It soon became apparent that there were health concerns with the ink we used to print our newspapers and it contained such things such as petrol and lead.
''And of course this leads to real concerns about lead poisoning through your fish and chips. ''Eventually the EU outlawed wrapping food products in used newspaper.''. Spilling the beans, Matthew then went on to explain how the practice has changed in more recent years, with your local fish and chips shop using ''certified, food-safe products''.
''Ironically, a lot of restaurants now will print fake newspaper articles on theirs.''. Hundreds of viewers flocked to comments to share their thoughts with many protesting the greasy classic once tasted ''better''. One wrote: ''It used to be a piece of grease proof paper - then wrapped with newspaper to keep warm - the food didn’t touch the newspaper.
