New Delhi: There is big news for the pan-masala makers and those who eat it in the country. FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) has further tightened the rules for packaging of pan masala. Under this, plastic packaging of pan masala has been banned. Under the recent amendment, plastic-based or plastic-laminated packaging is not included in the approved or prescribed packaging materials for pan masala.
Actually, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has implemented new rules for the packaging of pan masala. These rules call for the use of materials that are plastic-free and ban the use of plastic, aluminum foil and metallized layers for packaging.
A total no to plastic
Under the new rules of FSSAI, which comes under the Union Ministry of Health and Wellness, pan masala can be packed in paper, paperboard, cellulose or other naturally occurring materials, but these materials should not contain plastic at all.
The notification clearly states that the packaging cannot contain polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or any other synthetic polymer, co-polymer or laminate.
This ban is not limited to just common plastic packaging. Packaging made from the mentioned paper and natural materials should also not contain aluminum foil and metallized layers. This means that if the packaging is made of paper on the outside, but has plastic or metallized layers on the inside, that packaging will not meet the requirements described in this change.
Permission to use tin or glass containers
However, it is a matter of relief for pan masala manufacturers that FSSAI has allowed manufacturers to use tin or glass containers for pan masala. These have been listed as separately approved packaging options under the new entry.
This amendment also states that certain provisions of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, made under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, will also apply to the packaging of Pan Masala.
