1. Draft Amendment Notified:
The Food
Safety and Standards Authority of India
(FSSAI) has issued draft Food
Safety and Standards (Packaging) Amendment Regulations, 2026.
2. Legal Basis:
The draft is proposed under Section 23 read with Section 92 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, with prior approval of the Central
Government.
3. Public Consultation:
Stakeholders can submit objections or suggestions within 60 days from publication in the Official Gazette.
4. Objective of Amendment:
The amendment introduces new definitions to strengthen regulatory clarity
around food contact and packaging materials.
5. New Definitions Proposed:
The draft inserts the following definitions into the 2018 Packaging
Regulations:
o Food Contact Material (FCM) – Materials intended to come into contact
with food without affecting food or health.
o Food Grade Contact Material – Materials complying with prescribed
safety standards for manufacturing, storage, and transport of food.
o Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) – Packaging where internal atmosphere is
altered to extend shelf life and maintain quality.
o Food Packaging – Covers containment, protection,
transport, and presentation of food from producer to consumer.
o Non-Intentionally Added Substances (NIAS) – Chemicals present in food contact
materials but not deliberately added during production.
o Aseptic Packaging – Filling sterilized products into
sterilized containers under sterile conditions to prevent contamination.
6. Background:
The principal Packaging Regulations were originally notified on 24 December 2018 and last amended on 28 March 2025.
7. Regulatory Impact:
The amendment aims to improve food safety compliance, align with global
terminology, and address evolving packaging technologies.
[FSSAI
Notification F. No. SS-T0FA(NOTI)/7/2025-Standard-FSSAI dated 26 February,
2026]