The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has banned the use of plastic packaging for pan masala products, in a move aimed at strengthening food safety and reducing concerns linked to plastic packaging.
Under the new direction, pan masala manufacturers will not be allowed to use plastic containers or packaging materials for their products. Instead, packaging must use tin, glass or other materials permitted under food safety regulations.
The move is expected to affect manufacturers across the pan masala industry, requiring companies to review their existing packaging systems and transition to compliant alternatives.
FSSAI’s decision comes amid growing scrutiny of food packaging materials and their potential impact on consumer safety and the environment.
The new packaging requirement also places greater emphasis on ensuring that materials used to store and sell food products meet prescribed safety standards.
For manufacturers, the change could mean additional costs associated with redesigning packaging, sourcing alternative materials and modifying production processes.
The move highlights India’s broader push towards safer food packaging and stronger regulatory standards, while also encouraging industries to explore alternatives to plastic.
Companies selling pan masala products will need to ensure that their packaging complies with the updated FSSAI requirements.
