FSSAI proposes total plastic ban for pan masala, gutka packaging

INDIA – FSSAI has proposed a complete ban on plastic packaging for pan masala, gutka, and related products, mandating paper, paperboard, or cellulose only, while prohibiting polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC, multilayer laminates, and aluminium foil.

The draft amendment to the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018, released on April 29, 2026, applies to both tobacco and non-tobacco variants. 

The proposal also prohibits specific copolymers such as vinyl acetate–maleic acid–vinyl chloride in any packaging for gutka, pan masala, and tobacco in all forms.

Aligning Health and Environmental Policy

The move comes against the backdrop of ongoing state-level restrictions on these products.

As of 2026, several states, including Maharashtra, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, West Bengal, Kerala, Gujarat, and Delhi, have banned the manufacture, sale, storage, and distribution of gutka and pan masala containing tobacco or nicotine. 

The FSSAI proposal adds a national packaging standard to the patchwork of state-level sales bans.

The changes have been introduced as an insertion in Schedule IV of the packaging regulations, which lists permissible materials for specific food categories. 

Pan masala has been added as a separate entry with strict material restrictions. 

The draft also aligns with existing plastic waste management rules, reinforcing that plastic packaging cannot be used for storage, packing, or sale of these products.

Impact on the Packaging Industry

The chewing tobacco and pan masala industry currently relies heavily on multilayer plastic sachets that are difficult to recycle and contribute significantly to litter. 

These small-format sachets are often made from laminated films combining plastic, aluminium, and adhesives, making them impossible to separate for recycling. 

The proposed shift to paper, paperboard, or cellulose would require a complete redesign of packaging lines, as paper-based materials have different barrier properties, seal requirements, and shelf-life characteristics than plastic laminates.

Enforcement and Transition

FSSAI has invited objections and suggestions from stakeholders within 30 days of the notification. 

The authority said all feedback received within this period will be examined before finalising the amendment. 

If notified, the move is expected to impact a large segment of the industry, forcing manufacturers to source certified paper-based packaging materials and adapt filling equipment for new formats.

When a Sachet Becomes a Compliance Problem

The plastic sachet that holds a single serving of pan masala is used for minutes but persists for centuries. 

India’s proposal to ban plastic in this category acknowledges that some packaging formats have no viable recycling pathway. 

The shift to paper will test whether natural materials can match the shelf life and cost of plastic.

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