The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has shown serious concern about plastic packaging and lamination in pan masala and has tightened the rules for the packaging of the product.
On August 7, the Food Safety and Standards Amendment Regulation 2026 was notified, stating that plastic-based or laminated packing material is not included among the permitted materials of pan masala packaging. This amendment will come under the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Amendment Regulation 2018 as a refined amendment, stating that pan masala can now only be packed in paper, paperboard or any plastic-free material.
Plastic-free material includes polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or any synthetic polyester, including aluminium foil. The government has also notified earlier that the Goods and Services Tax compensation cess on pan masala and related products will end and a new tax regime will begin starting from February 1, 2026.
The provisions of clause (f) stating plastic packaging should not be used for storing tobacco and (i) stating plastic material should not be used in packaging, sub-rule 1 of rule 4 of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, made under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, will also be implemented for tin or glass containers for specified packaging.
A bill was drafted for this amendment and was published in the Gazette of India, inviting suggestions and objections from the public within 60 days, and is now finally regulated after reviewing the feedback by Rajit Punhani, Chief Executive Officer, FSSAI.
