New Delhi, Read: The shiny bundle of pan masala may soon be seen changing. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has implemented new rules regarding the packaging of pan masala. Under these, plastic, aluminum foil and metallized layer cannot be used in packing of pan masala. FSSAI issued notification of Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Amendment Regulations, 2026 on 7 August 2026. It was published in the Gazette of India on 10 August 2026. The rules have become effective with their publication in the Gazette.
What will change with the new rules?
After the new rules, material which does not contain plastic will have to be used in the packaging of pan masala. For this, paper, paper board, cellulose and other materials obtained from natural sources can be used. However, this material should be completely free from plastic. Pan masala can also be packed in tin or glass containers.
What things were banned?
FSSAI has banned many materials used in packaging. These include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyvinyl chloride i.e. PVC, other synthetic polymers, co-polymers, plastic laminates, apart from this aluminum foil and metallized layers cannot be used. This means that instead of the shiny and plastic based packets of Pan Masala that are commonly seen, other packaging material will have to be used.
What will companies have to do?
After the new rules, companies making pan masala will have to change their packaging material. They will have to adopt packaging that conforms to the new food safety standards and is free from the use of plastic. The purpose of this is to reduce plastic waste generated from packaging. This change is only related to packaging. In this notification of FSSAI, no new restrictions have been imposed on the sale or consumption of pan masala. The only change is in what kind of material it can be packed in.
The rules did not change suddenly
FSSAI had already started the process of changing these rules. The draft of the amendment was released on 28 April 2026. On this, objections and suggestions were sought from the concerned parties and the general public. 60 days time was given for this. After considering the suggestions and objections received, the final rules have now been issued. The Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Amendment Regulations, 2026 have become effective from 10 August 2026.
Plastic waste management rules also implemented
Along with the new packaging provisions, related provisions of Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 will also be applicable. These rules have been made under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. This means that companies will have to follow food safety rules as well as plastic waste management rules while preparing new packaging of pan masala.