The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has introduced new packaging norms for pan masala, specifying plastic-free materials that can be used for the product and excluding plastic, aluminium foil and metallised layers from the approved packaging options.
The changes were notified through the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Amendment Regulations, 2026, published in the Gazette of India on Monday, August 10.
The amendment updates the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018, by adding pan masala as a new entry under Schedule 4, which contains a list of suggested packaging materials.
Under the revised FSSAI provisions, pan masala can be packaged using paper, paperboard, cellulose or other naturally derived materials, provided they are completely free of plastic.
The notification specifically prohibits packaging containing polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or any other synthetic polymers, copolymers or laminates.
The restriction also covers packaging that uses conventional paper materials but contains other prohibited components. Paper and naturally derived materials must not contain aluminium foil or metallised layers. As a result, paper-based packaging with plastic or metallised layers incorporated inside would not comply with the new specifications.
FSSAI has also allowed manufacturers to use tin and glass containers for packaging pan masala. These have been separately listed as permitted packaging materials under the new provision.
The amendment also states that certain provisions of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, will apply to pan masala packaging.
The revised regulations came into effect from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette. FSSAI issued the final amendment after completing the required consultation process on the proposed changes.
The authority had initially issued the draft Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Amendment Regulations, 2026, on April 28, inviting objections and suggestions from individuals and stakeholders likely to be affected by the proposed rules.
The draft remained open for public feedback for 60 days. FSSAI said the objections and suggestions received during this period were examined before the final amendment was notified.
The final notification was issued under the powers provided to FSSAI by the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, with prior approval from the Central Government.
The notification specifically deals with packaging regulations and does not prohibit pan masala as a product. Instead, it adds pan masala to the packaging schedule and lays down the materials that manufacturers are permitted to use.
The new provisions therefore focus on shifting pan masala packaging away from plastic-based materials.
Manufacturers opting for paper, paperboard, cellulose or other naturally derived materials will have to ensure that they contain no plastic, synthetic polymers, copolymers or laminates and do not incorporate aluminium foil or metallised layers.
The other packaging options explicitly approved by FSSAI are tin and glass containers. Since the amendment took effect upon publication, these requirements are now part of the amended Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018.
