The changes were notified through the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Amendment Regulations, 2026, published in the Gazette of India on Monday (August 10).
The amendment modifies the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018 by adding pan masala as a new entry under Schedule 4, which deals with the list of suggestive packaging materials.
Under the new provisions of the FSSAI, which comes under the Union Ministry of Health and Welfare, pan masala can be packaged in paper, paperboard, cellulose or other naturally derived materials, but these materials must be completely free from plastic.
The notification specifically states that the packaging cannot contain polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or any other synthetic polymers, copolymers or laminates.
The restriction goes beyond conventional plastic packaging. The specified paper and naturally derived materials must also be free from aluminium foil and metallised layers. This means packaging that uses a paper-based outer material but contains plastic or metallised layers within the packaging would not meet the material specifications set out in the amendment.
FSSAI has also permitted manufacturers to use tin or glass containers for pan masala. These are listed separately as permitted packaging options under the new entry.
The amendment further states that certain provisions of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, will also apply to pan masala packaging.
The regulations come into force from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette. FSSAI notified the final amendment after completing a consultation process on the proposed changes.
The authority had first published the draft Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Amendment Regulations, 2026, on April 28, inviting objections and suggestions from people likely to be affected by the proposed regulations.
The draft was open for public feedback for a period of 60 days.
FSSAI said the objections and suggestions received from the public in response to the draft were considered before the final amendment was issued.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has officially prohibited the use of plastic and plastic-laminated materials for packaging pan masala under the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Amendment Regulations, 2026.
This regulatory shift directly targets single-use plastic sachets and multi-layer plastic (MLP) packaging, aligning food safety standards with the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016.
Key Highlights of the Regulation
Prohibited Packaging Materials:
Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), Polyester (PET), PVC, and all other synthetic polymers or copolymers.
Multi-layer plastic laminates.
Aluminium foil and metallised layers (preventing paper-on-plastic/foil composite packaging).
Permitted Packaging Materials:
Paper, paperboard, and cellulose (must be 100% plastic-free with no synthetic coatings).
Tin containers.
Glass containers.
Industry & Consumer Impact
| Impact Area | Key Changes |
| Manufacturing Costs | Production and raw material expenses will rise as manufacturers shift from low-cost plastic films to paper composites, tin, or glass. |
| Logistics & Supply Chain | Rigid containers (glass/tin) add weight and bulk, driving up transportation costs and requiring safer handling to prevent breakage. |
| Shelf-Life Challenges | Brands must recalibrate moisture barrier techniques, as plastic-free paper alternatives offer different shelf-life characteristics for dry/semi-moist products. |
| Environmental Benefits | Significantly reduces microplastic shedding and curbs non-recyclable litter caused by discarded single-use plastic sachets. |
No comments:
Post a Comment