Plastic materials Intended to be used in food packaging

Overview

Clause 4(4) of Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018 specifically regulates plastic materials intended for direct contact with food. It mandates that all plastic containers used for food storage or packaging must conform to Indian Standards as outlined in Schedule III of the regulation. It lays down stringent standards specifically governing the use of metals and metal alloys in primary food packaging applications. This clause mandates compliance with prescribed Indian Standards (IS) to guarantee that packaging materials coming into direct contact with food do not compromise safety or quality.

Material Conformity: Plastic materials must align with Indian Standards such as:

Drinking Water Packaging: Bottles or containers for packaged and mineral water must be:

  • Colourless, transparent, and tamper-proof
  • Exhibit at least 85% light transmittance

Pigments and Colorants: Allowed only in containers ≥5 litres made of polycarbonate or PET—in accordance with IS: 9833. Even in these cases, transparency must be ≥85%

Penalty for non-compliance:

Any person who whether by himself or by any other person on his behalf manufactures for sale or stores or sells or distributes or imports any article of food for human consumption shall be liable to a penalty which may extend upto ₹10 lakh + imprisonment up to 7 years

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