Pan masala packaging gets stricter: FSSAI bans plastic, aluminium foil; permits paper, tin or glass
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has released a set of new guidelines for the packaging of pan masala by proposing amendments
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has released a set of new guidelines for the packaging of pan masala by proposing amendments to the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018. The changes, notified on Monday, 10 August, through the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Amendment Regulations, 2026, published in the Gazette of India, restrict manufacturers from using plastic, aluminium foil and metallised layers to package the product. The amendment brings pan masala under Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018. The schedule contains a list of packaging materials that can be used for food products. Under the revised rules, pan masala may be packed using paper, paperboard, cellulose and other naturally derived materials, provided they are entirely free of plastic.
Also Read | Gutka, paan masala banned inside UP Assembly after spitting incident The permitted materials cannot contain polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or any other synthetic polymers, copolymers or laminates. Paper packaging cannot contain foil or hidden plastic layers The restrictions also cover packaging that may appear to be paper-based but contains other materials within its layers. The FSSAI has specified that paper and naturally derived packaging materials must not contain aluminium foil or metallised layers. Therefore, packaging made from paper but containing plastic or metallised layers would not comply with the new requirements. Tin and glass containers allowed Manufacturers have also been given the option of using tin or glass containers for pan masala. These have been separately listed as permitted packaging materials under the new entry.
Also Read | Govt to standardize tobacco sample testing nationwide The amendment also brings certain provisions of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, within its scope for pan masala packaging. Rules take effect immediately The new regulations came into effect on the date they were published in the Official Gazette. The final amendment followed a public consultation process initiated earlier this year. The FSSAI had issued the draft Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Amendment Regulations, 2026, on 28 April and invited objections and suggestions from those likely to be affected by the proposed changes. Also Read | Businessman awarded ₹10 lakh after spice packets wrongly identified as drugs The draft was open for public feedback for 60 days.
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