Overview
- FSSAI finalised and published an amendment to the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations in the Official Gazette in early August, making the new packaging requirements for pan masala immediately effective.
- The amendment allows only paper, paperboard, cellulose or other naturally derived materials that are completely free of plastic, and it also permits tin or glass containers.
- The rule explicitly bars packaging that contains polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, PVC, other synthetic polymers, copolymers, laminates, aluminium foil or metallised layers.
- FSSAI added pan masala to Schedule 4 of the Packaging Regulations and invoked provisions of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 to govern its packaging and waste handling.
- Manufacturers and retailers must redesign packs, find compliant suppliers, certify new formats and may face higher costs and enforcement scrutiny while the amendment does not ban the product itself.