The draft regulations are published for information of persons likely to be affected and objections or suggestions may be submitted within thirty days from the date of availability of the Gazette notification.

The provisions apply to packaging materials specified under Schedule IV of the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018 in relation to pan masala and similar products.

Schedule IV is proposed to be amended to insert additional entries after serial number 10 specifying permissible packaging materials.

The amendment includes specification of paper, paper board, cellulose or other naturally derived materials subject to conditions of being free from plastic, synthetic polymers, and aluminium foil or metallized layers.

It also includes tin or glass containers as permissible packaging materials.

The amendment incorporates applicability of specified clauses of Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 relating to prohibition on use of plastic material for packaging gutkha, tobacco, and pan masala.

“1. These regulations may be called Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Amendment Regulations, 2026

1. In the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018, -,

(1) In schedule IV relating to the list of suggestive packaging materials, after the entries at Sl. No. 10, following shall be inserted namely;

(a) Paper, Paper Board, Cellulose or other naturally derived materials, such material shall be free from any plastic including but not limited to Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Polyester, PVC, or any synthetic polymers, copolymers, or laminates and also free from Aluminium foil or metallized layers;

(b) Tin or glass containers;

(c) The clause (f) and (i) of sub-rule 1 of Rule 4 of Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, as quoted below shall also apply:

“4(1)(f) sachets using plastic material shall not be used for storing, packing or selling gutkha, tobacco and pan masala;

4(1)(i) plastic material, in any form including Vinyl Acetate – Maleic Acid – Vinyl Chloride Copolymer, shall not be used in any package for packaging gutkha, pan masala and tobacco in all forms””