Page 33 - Plastcs News January 2019

FeAtures

The New Packaging Rules

FSSAI notifies new packaging norms that would come into effect from July 1,2019, shall conform to the
Indian Standards provided in the schedules

n todays World Packaging plays a very important role. The purpose of product packaging is to protect the
Iproduct from damage. Product packaging not only protects the product during transit from the manufacturer to
the retailer, but it also prevents damage while the product sits on retail shelves. Most products have some form
of packaging.Food packaging also help protect foods against physical, chemical and environmental factors that could
possibly contaminate all of the food if not packaged correctly. To ensure food safety and avoid contamination the

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has announced the new packaging regulations, which will
replace all provisions with regards to the packaging requirements prescribed in the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging
and Labelling) Regulations, 2011.The packaging regulations have been separated from the labelling regulations and
a separate Scientific Panel for food packaging is planned.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. The regulations specify the suggestive list of packaging materials for different food
product categories.
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. These regulations address all concerns that came out of the two studies
conducted by FSSAI recently through the Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP), Mumbai and the National Test House (NTH),
Kolkata. According to FSSAI, these two studies had shown that the packaging material used by the organised sector
is largely safe but there are concerns about the use of packaging material by the unorganized and informal sector.
Further, there are serious concerns about safety of loose packaging material. Thus, these regulations prohibit packaging
material made of recycled plastics including carry bags for packaging, storing, carrying or dispensing articles of food.
Result of National Survey on Food Packaging Materials (FPMs)

Focus / through Institute Failure (Overall and by packaging material)
Migration of chemical contamination and heavy metals Organised Sector: 870 samples; Overall failure - 0.2% Only
from packaging materials through Indian Institute of 2 Samples were found non-conforming in Overall Migration
Packaging (IIP), Mumbai (Laminated pouch being used for Frozen fish & Plastic cap
of PET Jar being used for pickles)
Total samples analysed- 1250
Unorganised Sector: 380 samples; Overall failure - 13.4%.
51 Samples were found non-conforming in Heavy metal
contaminant (Plastic pouches/ Lid/ Closure/ Container/
Bottle/ Laminate/Bag etc., Woven Bag, Laminate, Al Foil
etc.)
No failure
Chemical contamination from loose packaging material Paper cups for tea, Plastic cups - drinking water, thermocol
through National Test House (NTH), Kolkata Total glass/plates & transparent disposable containers with lid.
samples analysed- 1760 Less than 5 % failure in Overall Migration: Paper cups for
ice creams (2.4%), Plastic glass with lids (3.2%), disposable
plastic containers (0.9%), zip lock pouches (0.7%).
More than 5% failure in Overall Migration: Coloured carry
bags (80%), Black carry bags (59%), Disposable containers
with Aluminium coating (24%), Sweet Boxes (21%), Paper
plates (16%), Polythene pouches (11%), Plastic cup for Tea/
Coffee (6%) & Plastic Spoons with Shiny coating (6%).
Source: FSSAI

33 Januar y 2019 Plastics News