FSSAI Bans Plastic, Aluminium Foil in Pan Masala Packaging

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has implemented a ban on the use of plastic, aluminium foil, and metallised layers in the packaging of pan masala, mandating a shift to paper, tin, or glass containers. The new regulations, which amend the Food Safety and Standards Packaging Regulations, 2018, were notified on August 10, 2026, and came into effect immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette.

The amendment adds pan masala to Schedule 4 of the packaging regulations, which lists approved materials for specific food products. Under the revised rules, manufacturers must use paper, paperboard, cellulose, or other naturally derived materials that are completely free of plastic content. This explicitly prohibits materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and any other synthetic polymers, copolymers, or laminates. The restriction extends to composite packaging that may appear paper-based on the outside but contains prohibited plastic or metallic layers within. Tin and glass containers are also permitted as alternative packaging options.

The regulatory change is part of a broader effort to align food safety norms...