Is Newsprint Paper Gluten Free (For Eating)?

[lily-b]

I know this is weird and probably unhealthy for a whole host of reasons, but I have an addiction to eating newsprint. I take a newspaper, cut off the ink-less margins and eat those. What makes it worse is that I work for a printing company and we can have all the waste copies (copies that the registration wasn't right) that we want. So it's like being a smoker and having free cigarettes around all the time. I am trying to quit, and I know it's called pica and everything and I don't really need any advice regarding the habit.

 

What I really need to know is if there is gluten in the newsprint? I have looked on google and haven't found anything close to a definitive answer. I know some paper products are glued to the roll with gluten containing glue, but I know first hand that the end of the roll never gets anywhere near the press (they sell the "butt rolls" to people for gardening mulch, kids to color on, etc) so no newspaper copies will come in contact with said glue.

[kareng]

You work for the printing company, so you should be able to find out the name of the company that makes the ink. Call them and ask what it is made of. I thought I heard it is soy based....but don't take my word for that. I'm not at all sure. You should be able to see the ingredients in the OSHA papers/notebook. They have those sheets, I can't remember the name right now, that have the ingredients of chemicals that are used in the workplace.

Gluten isn't likely to be in glue anymore. Maybe many many years ago.

If we said it had gluten, would it matter?

materials Safety Sheet? Something like that.

[IrishHeart]

Paper does not contain gluten.

 

If you have pica, you likely have a lack of certain nutrients or a deficiency, such as anemia or  zinc deficiency.

 

I don't think worrying about whether it is gluten free or not is your major concern, but rather why you are eating newspaper at all.

 

The biggest concern is it could lead to an obstruction in your bowel which will lead to infection. That will not be good.

 

Maybe it would be wise to have your folate, B-12, iron and zinc levels checked..and check for hookworms. because that may also be a cause.

 

if those are addressed and resolved , maybe you would stop eating paper.  Just a thought. 

[LauraTX]

For the ink and any other chemicals applied, like glue, you should have access to the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) that will tell you exactly what is in them.  For the paper, gluten is highly unlikely to be in it, but if you are able to talk to someone in the purchasing department of your work and get the manufacturer information, you can contact them and ask.  If you don't feel comfortable telling them you eat paper, you can tell them you are doing a school project and want to know if they use any wheat, barley, and rye derivatives in their product.  If you just ask them what all is in it, they may shoot down the request saying that is proprietary information.

 

I understand you are not looking for further advice, but I highly recommend you go talk to a professional to get assistance in quitting your habit.

[kareng]

For the ink and any other chemicals applied, like glue, you should have access to the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) that will tell you exactly what is in them.  For the paper, gluten is highly unlikely to be in it, but if you are able to talk to someone in the purchasing department of your work and get the manufacturer information, you can contact them and ask.  If you don't feel comfortable telling them you eat paper, you can tell them you are doing a school project and want to know if they use any wheat, barley, and rye derivatives in their product.  If you just ask them what all is in it, they may shoot down the request saying that is proprietary information.

 

I understand you are not looking for further advice, but I highly recommend you go talk to a professional to get assistance in quitting your habit.

That's the name! I knew there was an M and an S and a D. Couldn't remember MSDS!

On construction materials & art supplies, I have called the manufacturer and said I have an allergy and don't want to touch things with wheat. They will look and tell me it doesn't contain any.