,"The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a draft notification proposing amendments to the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018, introducing significant restrictions on the use of certain harmful chemicals in food contact materials.
The proposed Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Amendment Regulations, 2025 have been published with the prior approval of the Central Government, under the powers conferred by Section 92(2) read with Section 23 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (34 of 2006). As per the statutory procedure, these draft regulations will be open for public consultation for 60 days from the date the notification appears in the Gazette of India.
Stakeholders, including industry operators, manufacturers, and consumers, may submit their objections or suggestions to the Chief Executive Officer, FSSAI, at Food and Drug Administration Bhawan, Kotla Road, New Delhi – 110002, or via email at regulation@fssai.gov.in
within the specified period. All feedback received will be duly considered by FSSAI before finalizing the regulations.
Key Provisions of the Draft Amendment
The draft introduces two major additions to Regulation 3 (General Requirements) of the existing Packaging Regulations:
Ban on PFAS in Food Contact Materials:
The amendment explicitly prohibits the use of Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in the manufacturing of food contact materials (FCMs). PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals,” are known for their persistence in the environment and potential links to health risks such as endocrine disruption and cancer.
Restriction on Bisphenol A (BPA) and Derivatives:
The proposed regulation mandates that food contact materials made from polycarbonate and epoxy resins must be free from Bisphenol A (BPA) and its derivatives. BPA is a synthetic compound widely used in plastic production and epoxy coatings, but growing scientific evidence has raised concerns about its leaching into food and adverse health impacts."
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