Pan Masala: Are you also a fan of PAN Masala? Then listen carefully. A significant update has been introduced for both consumers and manufacturers of pan masala. The government has tightened regulations concerning the packaging of pan masala. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has released new guidelines regarding the materials permitted for pan masala packaging.
According to these new rules, the use of plastic, aluminum foil, and metalized layers in pan masala packaging is prohibited. FSSAI has officially announced these new regulations, which take effect immediately upon publication in the official gazette.
What materials can be used for packaging now?
Under the updated regulations, packaging for pan masala can utilize paper, paperboard, cellulose, and other naturally sourced materials. However, there is an important stipulation: these materials must be completely free of any plastic. Merely looking like paper on the outside is not enough. If the paper has a coating of plastic, aluminum foil, or a metalized layer, such packaging will not comply with the new regulations. FSSAI has made it clear that packaging cannot include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, PVC, or any other synthetic polymers, co-polymers, and laminates.
Pan masala manufacturers now have the option to use tin and glass containers. FSSAI has added both of these materials to the list of approved options for pan masala packaging. This means companies can choose alternatives like paper, tin, or glass instead of relying on plastic-based packaging. However, it is crucial that even paper-based packaging does not have any concealed layers of plastic or metal.
There is no prohibition on pan masala
It’s crucial to note that the recent regulations do not ban the sale or production of paan masala. The government has merely updated the guidelines concerning the materials used for its packaging. The FSSAI has added paan masala to a list of regulations pertaining to food packaging. As a result, companies are required to adhere to these established packaging rules. Experts suggest that if the packaging of paan masala changes, prices might rise since companies could pass on the increased costs to consumers. The use of tin and glass containers could lead to higher expenses. However, it remains uncertain whether prices will actually go up.
Public opinion was considered first
These regulations were not introduced abruptly. The FSSAI had previously published a draft of these changes on April 28, 2026. Following that, they sought feedback and objections from the public and relevant companies. A period of 60 days was allocated for this feedback process. According to the FSSAI, the final regulations have been established after taking into account the suggestions received from the public and stakeholders. The new rules also incorporate provisions related to managing plastic waste, aiming to minimize plastic use in paan masala packaging and ensure adherence to the specified packaging materials.