FSSAI introduces new packaging requirements for pan masala, mandates paper, tin or glass

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has introduced new packaging requirements for pan masala, specifying plastic-free materials that can be used to package the product and ruling out plastic, aluminium foil and metallised layers from the permitted 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 modifies the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018 by adding pan masala as a new entry under Schedule 4, which deals with the list of suggestive packaging materials.

Under the new provisions of the FSSAI, which comes under the Union Ministry of Health and Welfare, pan masala can be packaged in paper, paperboard, cellulose or other naturally derived materials, but these materials must be completely free from plastic.

The notification specifically states that the packaging cannot contain polyethylene, polypropylene,



polyester, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or any other synthetic polymers, copolymers or laminates.

The restriction goes beyond conventional plastic packaging. The specified paper and naturally derived materials must also be free from aluminium foil and metallised layers. This means packaging that uses a paper-based outer material but contains plastic or metallised layers within the packaging would not meet the material specifications set out in the amendment.

FSSAI has also permitted manufacturers to use tin or glass containers for pan masala. These are listed separately as permitted packaging options under the new entry.

The amendment further states that certain provisions of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, will also apply to pan masala packaging.

The regulations come into force from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette. FSSAI notified the final amendment after completing a consultation process on the proposed changes.