FSSAI Bans Plastic, Aluminium Foil In Pan Masala Packaging; Paper, Tin, Glass Allowed

New Delhi: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has introduced stringent new packaging norms for pan masala, prohibiting the use of plastic, aluminium foil and metallised layers in its packaging.

The Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Amendment Regulations, 2026, notified in the Gazette of India on August 10, add pan masala as a new entry under Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018. The amended provisions have come into force from the date of their publication.

Under the new rules, pan masala can be packed in paper, paperboard, cellulose or other naturally derived materials, provided these materials are completely free from plastic and synthetic materials.

The regulation specifically rules out polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyester, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and other synthetic polymers, copolymers and laminates. Packaging containing aluminium foil or metallised layers has also been excluded.

This means even packaging that has a paper-based exterior but contains plastic, synthetic or metallised layers inside would not qualify under the new specifications.

FSSAI has, however, separately permitted tin and glass containers for packaging pan masala.

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

What Prompted the Change?

FSSAI had initially issued a draft amendment on April 28, 2026, inviting objections and suggestions from stakeholders and members of the public. The draft was open for feedback for 60 days, following which the authority said the submissions received were considered before finalising the amendment.

The new regulation is specifically aimed at packaging, and does not amount to a ban on pan masala as a product.

Instead, it establishes the materials that can be used to package the product and seeks to move the industry away from plastic-based packaging formats.

Manufacturers opting for paper, paperboard, cellulose or other naturally derived materials will now have to ensure that these materials contain no plastic, synthetic polymers, copolymers or laminates and are free from aluminium foil and metallised layers.

Tin and glass remain explicitly permitted alternatives under the amended regulations.

The move marks a significant tightening of packaging requirements for pan masala and could force manufacturers to redesign widely used sachets and other packaging formats to comply with the new standards.

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