Overview
- The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India amended its 2018 packaging rules and published the change in the Gazette on August 10, making the ban on plastic- and certain synthetic-material packaging for pan masala legally effective.
- The notification bars polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, PVC, other synthetic polymers, copolymers, laminates and aluminium foil or metallised layers from pan masala packaging.
- FSSAI allows only fully plastic-free paper, paperboard, cellulose or other naturally derived materials, and rigid tin or glass containers as compliant packaging options.
- Manufacturers, suppliers and retailers must redesign packaging, find certified compliant materials, test new formats and update supply chains, which is likely to raise packaging, transport and testing costs especially for small and informal producers.
- The amendment embeds parts of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 into food-packaging law and is aimed at reducing plastic waste at the source while leaving the manufacture and sale of pan masala itself legal.