Popular fish and chip shop reveals the real reason British delicacy used to be wrapped in newspaper - as fans claim they 'tasted better'
Share:
A fish and chip shop has revealed why the delicacy really used to come wrapped in newspaper - as people claim it 'tasted better'. Sankey's Seafood Restaurant and Pub in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, shared an informative video about the origins of the newspaper tradition - and unexpectedly went viral on TikTok for their fascinating insights.
![[Sankey's Seafood Restaurant and Pub in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, shared an informative video about the origins of the newspaper tradition]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/12/13/94008411-14270225-image-m-10_1736687658582.jpg)
Posting on social media, staff member Matthew explored the 'rich and fascinating history' behind the practice. He shared that the original reason was due to a shortage of paper during World War Two - but it had later been outlawed due to health concerns.
'Ever wondered why we used to wrap our fish and chips in old newspaper? Let's have a talk about it,' Matthew explained in the TikTok video. He continued: '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.'.
A fish and chip shop has revealed why the delicacy really used to come wrapped in newspaper - as people claim it 'tasted better'. Sankey's Seafood Restaurant and Pub in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, shared an informative video about the origins of the newspaper tradition.
