FSSAI issues draft guidelines for use of recycled plastic in food packaging

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued draft guidelines for the use of recycled plastics as food packaging.

The Draft Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Amendment Regulations 2022 pertain to the recycling process and operations involved in transforming post-consumer PET bottles used for food packaging into food-grade recycled PET resins suitable for making bottles and packaging materials for bottling or packaging and its testing. The Draft also covers the acceptance criteria for using food grade recycled PET resin material in bottling or packaging operations.

In September 2021, the central government had amended the Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016 to allow carry bags and products from recycled plastic for packaging, carrying, storing and dispensing ready-to-eat or drink products.