Soon, eateries will be fined if found wrapping food products using newspaper, recycled plastic

The Food Safety Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) has directed all Food Business Operator (FBO) not to wrap food products using recycled plastics, newspaper and paper sheets.

The move was taken after the results of two studies conducted by FSSAI which noted the presence of chemical contamination and heavy metals from packing materials into food. 

HIGHLIGHTS

• New rules will come into effect after July 1, 2019
• FSSAI has amended all existing provisions in respect to packing requirements
• This was after 2 studies noted presence of chemical contamination and heavy metals in packaging materials

The Food Safety Standard Authority of India (FSSAI), the apex food regulator in India, has regulated food packaging norms after they found contamination in food products through its packaging material. They have directed all Food Business Operator (FBO) not to wrap food products using recycled plastics, newspaper and paper sheets.

This is the latest direction to all FBOs by the apex food regulator. The move is taken after the results of two studies conducted by FSSAI which noted the presence of chemical contamination and heavy metals from packing materials into food.

The study was done in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP), Mumbai and the National Test House (NTH), Kolkata.

In the recent notification, the Food Safety Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) has amended all existing provisions with respect to packing requirements prescribed in the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011.

Pawan Agarwal, CEO of FSSAI told Mail Today, "We have given time to all FBOs till July 1, 2019 to gear up for the new packaging guidelines. The greater safety concern is for food packaging material by unorganised sector or loose packing. These regulations prohibit packaging materials made of recycled plastics, including carry bags for packaging, storing, carrying or dispensing articles of food."

About 380 food samples were collected from unorgansied sector and 13.4 per cent of overall contamination was found in food articles. Out of which, 51 samples were found with heavy metal contaminant such as plastic pouches, lid container, bottle, Al Foil etc.