FSSAI Banned Plastic Containers For Pan Masala While Accepting Paper, Tin And Glass Containers

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has put some new regulations regarding packaging for Pan Masala and banned plastic and other materials from the packaging. The new rules were published in the Gazette of India on August 10 and the instructions came into effect from the same date.

In the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Amendment Regulations, 2026, pan masala has been included in Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018. The amendment defines the materials which the manufacturer is permitted to use in the packaging of pan masala.

The new rules allow pan masala to be packed in paper, paperboard, cellulose and other natural materials as long as it is completely free from plastic. The rules also forbid the use of polyethylene, polypropylene and polyester, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), synthetic polymers and copolymers and laminates.

The limitations are also applicable to aluminium foil and metallised layers. This will restrict the use of paper-based packaging materials which are made with plastic or metallised layers inside the material.

FSSAI has already accepted tin and glass containers in the case of pan masala. The new requirements also include some of the provisions of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 in pan masala packaging.

The authority stated that the amendment is only related to packaging and does not mean ban on pan masala. Rather it sets the materials that will be used for packaging product.

It was a consultation process that led to the issuance of the final regulations. On April 28, FSSAI had released the draft Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Amendment Regulations, 2026, for comments and suggestions from stakeholders and other concerned parties. The consultation process continued for 60 days until the final notification was issued.

Manufacturers will now need to make sure that paper or paperboard, cellulose or natural materials packaging does not contain plastic or synthetic polymers, copolymers, or contain aluminium foil or metallised layers.

The new rules are a step towards plastic-free pan masalas and are aimed at controlling the materials used in the packaging of pan masala. Manufacturers will have to adhere to the new requirements set by the FSSAI packaging regulations with the amendment now being implemented.