FSSAI Tightens Pan Masala Rules, Bans Plastic Packaging

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has tightened packaging rules for pan masala, banning plastic-based materials along with aluminium foil and metallised layers.

The new provisions were notified on August 10 under the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Amendment Regulations, 2026, and have come into effect from the date of publication in the Gazette of India.

Under the amended rules, pan masala can be packed in paper, paperboard, cellulose and other naturally derived materials, but these must be completely free from plastic.

The packaging cannot contain polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, PVC or other synthetic polymers, copolymers and laminates. Paper-based packaging containing plastic layers will therefore also not qualify.

FSSAI has also specifically excluded aluminium foil and metallised layers, meaning manufacturers cannot use them as internal layers in otherwise paper-based packaging.

The amended regulations separately permit manufacturers to use tin and glass containers for pan masala.

Certain provisions of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, will also apply to the packaging of the product.

FSSAI had published the draft amendment on April 28, inviting objections and suggestions for 60 days. The authority said the feedback received during the consultation was examined before the final rules were issued.

The amendment adds pan masala to Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018, which lists suggestive packaging materials.

Pan Masala Itself Has Not Been Banned

The new notification is only about packaging and does not prohibit the sale or manufacture of pan masala.

Manufacturers must now ensure that permitted paper and naturally derived packaging contains no plastic or synthetic polymer materials and does not use aluminium foil or metallised layers. Tin and glass containers are also permitted under the revised rules.