Pan masala packaging: FSSAI adds paper-based material free of any plastic or aluminium foil, and tin or glass containers, to Schedule IV of the Packaging Regulations
The Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Amendment Regulations, 2026 insert a new entry for pan masala in Schedule IV — the list of suggestive packaging materials. It names paper, paper board, cellulose or other naturally derived materials that are free from any plastic and from aluminium foil or metallised layers, and tin or glass containers. The regulations are in force from publication in the Official Gazette; the Gazette issue is dated 10 August 2026.
Key facts
- In force
- From publication in the Official Gazette (Gazette issue dated 10 August 2026)
- Who it affects
- Pan masala manufacturers, packers and brand owners; suppliers of packaging material to them
- What it is
- Rule change
- Section
- FSSAI
- Published
- 7 August 2026
In 30 seconds
- Notification F. No. RCD-09002/1/2026-Regulatory-FSSAI is dated 7 August 2026; the Gazette issue carrying it is dated 10 August 2026.
- A new Serial Number 11, “Pan Masala”, is inserted in Schedule IV of the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018.
- Paper, paper board, cellulose or other naturally derived materials must be free from any plastic — including polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, PVC, synthetic polymers, copolymers or laminates.
- Such material must also be free from aluminium foil or metallised layers.
- Tin or glass containers are the other materials listed.
- Clauses (f) and (i) of rule 4(1) of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 shall also apply.
हिंदी में सार
FSSAI ने खाद्य सुरक्षा और मानक (पैकेजिंग) संशोधन विनियम, 2026 (अधिसूचना 7 अगस्त 2026) से पैकेजिंग विनियम, 2018 की अनुसूची 4 में पान मसाला के लिए नई क्रम संख्या 11 जोड़ी है। इसमें काग़ज़, पेपर बोर्ड, सेलूलोज़ या अन्य प्राकृतिक सामग्री — जो हर तरह के प्लास्टिक, लैमिनेट, एल्युमिनियम फ़ॉयल और मेटलाइज़्ड परत से मुक्त हो — और टिन या काँच के कंटेनर सूचीबद्ध हैं। विनियम राजपत्र में प्रकाशन की तारीख़ से लागू हैं (राजपत्र 10 अगस्त 2026)।
What has been notified
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, with the previous approval of the Central Government, has made the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Amendment Regulations, 2026 by notification F. No. RCD-09002/1/2026-Regulatory-FSSAI dated 7 August 2026. They amend the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018.
The amendment does one thing. In Schedule IV — which the notification describes as “relating to the list of suggestive packaging materials” — a new Serial Number 11 is inserted after Serial Number 10, for pan masala.
The new entry for pan masala
| Clause | What the entry lists |
|---|---|
| (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, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or any synthetic polymers, copolymers or laminates — and also free from aluminium foil or metallised layers |
| (b) | Tin or glass containers |
| (c) | The provisions of clauses (f) and (i) of sub-rule (1) of rule 4 of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, made under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, shall also apply |
Reading clause (a)
The condition attached to paper-based packs is wide. The words are “free from any plastic”, and the list of plastics is expressly “including but not limited to”. Laminates are named, and so are aluminium foil and metallised layers. On this wording, a paper or paper board pack for pan masala that carries a plastic, foil or metallised layer does not match the entry.
When it applies
The regulations come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette. They are published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part III, Section 4, issue No. 489 dated 10 August 2026. The notification gives no transition period.
How the amendment was made
A draft was published on 28 April 2026, inviting objections and suggestions within sixty days from the date copies of the Gazette were made available to the public — also 28 April 2026. The final notification records that those received from the public have been considered.
What the notification does not say
It does not reproduce clauses (f) and (i) of rule 4(1) of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, so their content has to be read from those Rules. It does not speak of stock already packed, or of any product other than pan masala.
What pan masala businesses should do
Manufacturers and packers of pan masala should compare their current packs with Serial Number 11: paper, paper board, cellulose or other naturally derived material with no plastic, laminate, aluminium foil or metallised layer; or tin or glass containers. They should also read clauses (f) and (i) of rule 4(1) of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, which the entry applies alongside.
Questions and answers
What packaging materials does the new entry list for pan masala?
Paper, paper board, cellulose or other naturally derived materials that are free from any plastic and from aluminium foil or metallised layers; and tin or glass containers.
Can a paper pack for pan masala have a plastic or foil lining?
The entry says such material shall be free from any plastic — including polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, PVC, synthetic polymers, copolymers or laminates — and also free from aluminium foil or metallised layers.
Where has the entry been added?
As Serial Number 11 in Schedule IV of the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018 — the Schedule relating to the list of suggestive packaging materials.
From when is it in force?
From the date of publication in the Official Gazette. The Gazette issue carrying the regulations is dated 10 August 2026.
Do the Plastic Waste Management Rules also apply?
Yes. The entry states that clauses (f) and (i) of sub-rule (1) of rule 4 of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 shall also apply.
Published 7 August 2026. Updated 8 October 2026. This report is for general information and is not professional advice. Read the source document before acting on it.