. NEW DELHI: In a significant move targeting single-use plastic in tobacco-related products, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed a complete shift to non-plastic packaging for pan masala, gutka and similar items.A draft amendment to the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018, released on Tuesday, mandates that these products be packed only in paper, paperboard, cellulose or other naturally derived materials. The draft explicitly bars the use of all plastics — including polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, PVC and multilayer laminates — as well as aluminium foil or metallised layers.Officials said the proposed norms will apply across the board to both tobacco and non-tobacco variants of pan masala and related products.The proposal goes further to prohibit the use of specific copolymers such as vinyl acetate–maleic acid–vinyl chloride in any packaging for gutka, pan masala and tobacco in all forms.The changes have been introduced as an insertion in Schedule IV of the packaging regulations, which lists permissible materials for specific food categories. Pan masala has been added as a separate entry with strict material restrictions.The draft also aligns with existing plastic waste management rules, reinforcing that plastic packaging cannot be used for storage, packing or sale of these products.The move comes against the backdrop of ongoing state-level restrictions on these products. As of 2026, several states — including Maharashtra, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, West Bengal, Kerala, Gujarat and Delhi — have banned the manufacture, sale, storage and distribution of gutka and pan masala containing tobacco or nicotine, with many renewing these prohibitions annually.FSSAI has invited objections and suggestions from stakeholders within 30 days of the notification. The authority said all feedback received within this period will be examined before finalising the amendment.If notified, the move is expected to impact a large segment of the chewing tobacco and pan masala industry, which currently relies heavily on multilayer plastic sachets that are difficult to recycle and contribute significantly to litter.The proposal signals a tighter regulatory push on both public health and environmental fronts, especially targeting products that are widely consumed and generate high-volume plastic waste.About the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosUAE Quits OPEC In Big Oil Shake-Up: What It Means For India‘Siddaramaiah Ready To Step Down As Karnataka CM If Rahul Gandhi Asks’: Ex-Minister RajannaBengal Phase 2 Polls: 142 Constituencies Vote Today, Over 3.21 Crore Voters to DecideChokepoints of Power: how India can ‘trump’ China on the seasSwati Maliwal’s Explosive Exit: Assault Allegations, ‘Betrayal’ Charges Rock AAP As She Joins BJPIndian Aviation Sector Warns Of Possible Shutdown Amid Soaring Fuel CostsUNGA Chief Hails India’s Global Role, Calls India’s Leadership Central To MultilateralismIndia To Receive Fourth Unit Of S-400 Missile Systems From Russia, To Be Deployed In RajasthanISRO-s Big Shift- Civilians To Join Gaganyaan Missions – India-s Space Programme Expands”Online Radicalisation Led To…” Maharashtra CM On ISIS-Inspired Attack123PhotostoriesChef Vikas Khanna reveals the dish he makes when he misses home; recipe insideMS Dhoni calls this city his home: “There’s no good reason for me to work, to shift to any other city”10 royal baby boy names inspired by kings and warriorsSuhana Khan returns in liquid gold in an Arpita Mehta saree that refuses to be ignoredMorning affirmation at 5am: Feeling lost? 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NEW DELHI: In a significant move targeting single-use plastic in tobacco-related products, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed a complete shift to non-plastic packaging for pan masala, gutka and similar items.A draft amendment to the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018, released on Tuesday, mandates that these products be packed only in paper, paperboard, cellulose or other naturally derived materials. The draft explicitly bars the use of all plastics — including polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, PVC and multilayer laminates — as well as aluminium foil or metallised layers.Officials said the proposed norms will apply across the board to both tobacco and non-tobacco variants of pan masala and related products.The proposal goes further to prohibit the use of specific copolymers such as vinyl acetate–maleic acid–vinyl chloride in any packaging for gutka, pan masala and tobacco in all forms.The changes have been introduced as an insertion in Schedule IV of the packaging regulations, which lists permissible materials for specific food categories. Pan masala has been added as a separate entry with strict material restrictions.The draft also aligns with existing plastic waste management rules, reinforcing that plastic packaging cannot be used for storage, packing or sale of these products.The move comes against the backdrop of ongoing state-level restrictions on these products. As of 2026, several states — including Maharashtra, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, West Bengal, Kerala, Gujarat and Delhi — have banned the manufacture, sale, storage and distribution of gutka and pan masala containing tobacco or nicotine, with many renewing these prohibitions annually.FSSAI has invited objections and suggestions from stakeholders within 30 days of the notification. The authority said all feedback received within this period will be examined before finalising the amendment.If notified, the move is expected to impact a large segment of the chewing tobacco and pan masala industry, which currently relies heavily on multilayer plastic sachets that are difficult to recycle and contribute significantly to litter.The proposal signals a tighter regulatory push on both public health and environmental fronts, especially targeting products that are widely consumed and generate high-volume plastic waste.
