On finding that packaging materal can cause contamination in food products, the Food Safety Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) has directed all Food Business Operators to stop using recycled plastic, newspaper and paper sheets to wrap food.
The FSSAI conducted two studies to check the presence of chemical contamination and heavy metals in food, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP), Mumbai, and the National Test House (NTH), Kolkata. Following this, the FSSAI issued a notification regulating food packaging norms.
"Besides, general and specific requirement with respect to packaging materials, the regulations also prescribe overall migration and specific migration limits of contaminants for plastic packaging materials" FSSAI wrote in its press release.
- 01/02Page one of the press release.(Photo Courtesy: FSSAI)
- 02/02Page two of the press release.(Photo Courtesy: FSSAI)
“As per these regulations, the packaging materials used for packing or storing the food products shall conform to the Indian Standards provided in the schedules.”FSSAI is its press release
According to India Today's report, all existing provisions prescribed in the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011, pertaining to packing requirements, have been amended via this notification.
According to the press release, FSSAI CEO Pawan Agarwal said:
“The new packaging regulations would raise the bar of food safety in India to the next level.”
He further said that, bearing in mind the difficulties in implementation of these regulations, food businesses will have until 1 July to comply.
“Stakeholder’s consultation and mass awareness building among consumers and food businesses would precede implementation of the new packaging regulations.”Pawan Agarwal, FSSAI CEO
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)