The Meals Security and Requirements Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched new packaging necessities for pan masala, specifying plastic-free supplies that can be utilized to bundle the product and ruling out plastic, aluminium foil and metallised layers from the permitted packaging choices.
The adjustments have been notified by means of the Meals Security and Requirements (Packaging) Modification Rules, 2026, printed within the Gazette of India on Monday (August 10).
The modification modifies the Meals Security and Requirements (Packaging) Rules, 2018 by including pan masala as a brand new entry beneath Schedule 4, which offers with the checklist of suggestive packaging supplies.
Underneath the brand new provisions of the FSSAI, which comes beneath the Union Ministry of Well being and Welfare, pan masala will be packaged in paper, paperboard, cellulose or different naturally derived supplies, however these supplies should be fully free from plastic.
The notification particularly states that the packaging can not include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or some other artificial polymers, copolymers or laminates.
The restriction goes past typical plastic packaging. The desired paper and naturally derived supplies should even be free from aluminium foil and metallised layers. This implies packaging that makes use of a paper-based outer materials however comprises plastic or metallised layers inside the packaging wouldn’t meet the fabric specs set out within the modification.
FSSAI has additionally permitted producers to make use of tin or glass containers for pan masala. These are listed individually as permitted packaging choices beneath the brand new entry.
The modification additional states that sure provisions of the Plastic Waste Administration Guidelines, 2016, framed beneath the Atmosphere (Safety) Act, 1986, may even apply to pan masala packaging.
The laws come into power from the date of their publication within the Official Gazette. FSSAI notified the ultimate modification after finishing a session course of on the proposed adjustments.
The authority had first printed the draft Meals Security and Requirements (Packaging) Modification Rules, 2026, on April 28, inviting objections and options from individuals more likely to be affected by the proposed laws.
The draft was open for public suggestions for a interval of 60 days.
FSSAI mentioned the objections and options obtained from the general public in response to the draft have been thought of earlier than the ultimate modification was issued.
The ultimate notification was issued beneath the powers granted to FSSAI beneath the Meals Security and Requirements Act, 2006, with the earlier approval of the Central Authorities.
The notification is particularly a packaging regulation.
It doesn’t announce a ban on pan masala as a product. As a substitute, it provides pan masala to the packaging schedule and specifies the supplies that can be utilized for its packaging.
The brand new guidelines subsequently place the deal with transferring pan masala packaging away from plastic-based supplies.
Producers utilizing paper, paperboard, cellulose or different naturally derived supplies must be certain that these supplies include no plastic, artificial polymer, copolymer or laminate and don’t use aluminium foil or metallised layers.
The opposite packaging options explicitly listed by FSSAI are tin and glass containers. With the modification coming into power upon publication, these provisions now kind a part of the amended Meals Security and Requirements (Packaging) Rules, 2018.
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