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FSSAI amends norms eliminating use of plastic pkg for pan masala
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Thursday, 07 May, 2026, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Ashwani Maindola, New Delhi
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The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has introduced a significant amendment to its packaging regulations, aimed at eliminating plastic and synthetic materials from the packaging of pan masala.
The draft, titled the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Amendment Regulations, 2026, sets rigorous new standards for the industry to ensure environmental sustainability and consumer safety.
Under the new proposal, the FSSAI has updated the list of approved packaging materials for pan masala.
Manufacturers will now be required to use paper, paperboard, cellulose, or other naturally derived materials for the packaging of pan masala.
Crucially, these materials must be entirely free from any form of plastic, including Polyethylene, Polypropylene, PVC, and other synthetic polymers or laminates. The regulation also bans the use of aluminium foil and metallised layers in these packages.
For more robust packaging needs, the amendment permits the use of tin or glass containers.
This shift aligns with the broader Plastic Waste Management Rules of 2016, which strictly prohibit the use of plastic sachets for storing, packing, or selling tobacco-related products like gutkha and pan masala.
Specifically, the mandate bars any plastic materials including Vinyl Acetate, Maleic Acid, and Vinyl Chloride Copolymer, from being used in any form of packaging for these products.
The move marks a major step in the government’s efforts to reduce the environmental footprint of high-volume consumer goods.
Meanwhile, all stakeholders have been asked to review the draft and comment, as the transition to plastic-free alternatives will soon become a mandatory compliance requirement for the food business sector.
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