The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed a significant shift away from single-use plastic in tobacco-related products, mandating 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, requires these products to be packed exclusively in paper, paperboard, cellulose, or other naturally derived materials. The draft explicitly prohibits the use of all plastics, including polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, PVC, and multilayer laminates, as well as aluminium foil or metallised layers.
Scope of the Proposed Norms
Officials have stated that the proposed regulations will apply uniformly to both tobacco and non-tobacco variants of pan masala and related products. The draft goes further to ban specific copolymers such as vinyl acetate–maleic acid–vinyl chloride in any packaging for gutka, pan masala, and tobacco in all forms. These changes are 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 stringent material restrictions.
Alignment with Existing Rules
The draft aligns with the existing Plastic Waste Management Rules, reinforcing that plastic packaging cannot be used for storage, packing, or sale of these products. This 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.
Stakeholder Feedback and Industry Impact
FSSAI has invited objections and suggestions from stakeholders within 30 days of the notification. The authority has stated that all feedback received within this period will be examined before finalizing 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.
Public Health and Environmental Implications
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. By mandating the use of biodegradable materials, the FSSAI aims to reduce environmental pollution and promote sustainable packaging practices. The move is also expected to encourage innovation in packaging materials within the industry.
