FSSAI Proposes Mandatory Plastic-Free Packaging for Pan Masala: Draft Amendment to Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018
Overview of the Regulatory Initiative
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has taken a significant step toward eliminating plastic-based packaging from certain food and tobacco-adjacent products. Through a draft notification bearing reference number F. No. RCD-09002/1/2026-Regulatory-FSSAI, dated 28th April, 2026, FSSAI has proposed targeted amendments to the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018, enacted under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (34 of 2006).
This regulatory initiative specifically targets pan masala, introducing a new dedicated entry within Schedule IV of the Packaging Regulations. The move reflects the authority's intent to align food packaging standards with broader environmental objectives, while reinforcing restrictions already embedded in the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016.
Statutory Basis for the Proposed Amendment
The draft amendment has been proposed in exercise of powers vested under sub-section (2) of Section 92 read with Section 23 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The issuance of the draft follows the procedural mandate under sub-section (1) of Section 92 of the said Act, which requires prior publication of proposed regulations in the Official Gazette before finalization, to allow affected stakeholders an opportunity to raise objections or submit suggestions.
The amendment was published in the Gazette of India and carries the prior approval of the Central Government, as required under the applicable statutory framework.
Note: The parent regulations — Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018 — were originally notified on 24th December, 2018 vide notification File No. 1-95/Stds/Packaging/SP(L&C/A)/FSSAI-2017, and have since been amended on three prior occasions, the most recent being on 28th March, 2025.
Prior Amendments to the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018
Before examining the proposed changes, it is useful to understand the amendment history of the parent regulations:
- F. No. Std/SP-08/A-1.2019/N-01, dated 25th January, 2022
- F. No. Std/SP-20/T(Migration-N), dated 30th August, 2022
- F. No. STD/SP-20/T(Recycledplastics-N), dated 28th March, 2025
The current proposal constitutes the fourth amendment to the 2018 Packaging Regulations, and the first to specifically address pan masala packaging in a comprehensive and exclusionary manner.