Introduction:
To ensure the safety, hygiene, and integrity of food products throughout their lifecycle, all materials used in food packaging must comply with stringent food-grade and quality requirements. These standards apply to materials that come into direct or indirect contact with food during processing, storage, transportation, sale, or service.
1. Food-Grade Material Requirement
All materials intended to come into direct contact with food or likely to come in contact during packaging, preparation, storage, wrapping, transportation, sale, or service must be of food-grade quality. These materials shall not leach any harmful substances into the food under normal usage conditions and must comply with regulatory safety standards.
2. Suitability of Packaging Materials
Packaging materials shall be appropriate for the specific type of food product, considering its nature and composition. They must also be compatible with storage conditions, filling and sealing equipment, packaging machinery, and intended transportation environments to ensure product integrity throughout its shelf life.
3. Durability Against Environmental Stresses
All packaging must withstand the mechanical, thermal, and chemical stresses typically encountered during transportation and handling. For flexible or semi-rigid containers, a secondary (overwrap) packaging layer may be required to provide additional protection and maintain the structural integrity of the product.
4. Hygienic and Tamper-Proof Packaging
Food products shall be packed in containers that are clean, hygienic, and tamper-proof. Packaging must protect the food from contamination, spoilage, or alteration during storage, distribution, and display, ensuring consumer safety and confidence.
5. Compatibility of Sealing Material Clause
Sealing materials must be chemically and physically compatible with both the food product and the primary packaging container. The closure system, including seals or caps, should ensure secure sealing without interacting negatively with the product or compromising hygiene.
6. Prohibition of Tin Container Reuse Clause
Tin containers used once for food packaging shall not be reused under any circumstances to prevent contamination risks and ensure food safety compliance
7. Reuse of Plastic and Glass Containers
Plastic containers with a capacity of 5 litres or more and glass bottles intended for reuse in food packaging must be designed for durability and must be easy to clean and disinfect. Their repeated use shall not compromise food safety or introduce contamination.
Conclusion:
Strict adherence to these packaging material guidelines is critical to ensure food safety, regulatory compliance, and consumer trust. All packaging practices must prioritize hygiene, durability, and material compatibility to prevent contamination and maintain product quality throughout the supply chain
Penalty for non-compliance:
The use of unsafe packaging materials, including non-food-grade plastics, inks, or recycled components, is strictly prohibited under the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018. Any violation may attract a penalty of up to ₹1,00,000 and, in cases of repeated non-compliance, may lead to suspension or cancellation of the food business operator’s license
Read more about the regulation from: https://fssai.gov.in/cms/food-safety-and-standards-regulations.php
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