Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav, inaugurated the National Stakeholder Consultation on “Sustainable Packaging for Food Business: Emerging Global Trends and Regulatory Framework” organized by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in Mumbai on April 16, 2025.
In his inaugural address, Shri Jadhav underscored the urgent need to adopt sustainable packaging in the food sector. He announced that FSSAI has developed guidelines for the use of recycled PET (rPET) in food packaging, following extensive stakeholder consultations and aligned with international best practices. A dedicated logo for identifying rPET-based packaging has also been created to help consumers make informed choices.
Highlighting the environmental impact of plastic, Shri Jadhav stressed the importance of shifting to eco-friendly alternatives that are sustainable, recyclable, and biodegradable. He advocated for combining India’s rich heritage of ecological practices with modern innovations, asserting that India is well-positioned to lead global efforts in sustainable packaging.
The Minister commended the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and FSSAI for creating a platform to engage stakeholders on critical public health and environmental issues. He also led an open consultation session, inviting food businesses, packaging companies, recyclers, regulators, environmental groups, consumer advocates, farmers, and government representatives—over 1,500 participants in total—to share insights, challenges, and ideas for the future.
This event is part of FSSAI’s broader initiative under the Ministry’s guidance to foster inclusive, transparent, and evidence-based policymaking through national-level consultations. These sessions aim to incorporate grassroots feedback and industry-specific perspectives into food safety regulations.
The consultation included a technical session where the Chairperson of FSSAI’s Scientific Panel on Packaging explained the scientific approach and risk assessment methods behind the new packaging standards. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) discussed global and Indian benchmarks, while the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) elaborated on its role in promoting sustainability via Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) under the Plastic Waste Management Rules.
Industry representatives showcased innovations in eco-friendly, lightweight, and recyclable packaging tailored for food and beverages, and emphasized the importance of plastic waste recycling to support a circular economy. Consumer concerns and expectations regarding sustainable packaging were also addressed.
Dr. Alka Rao, Advisor (Science & Standards and Regulations) at FSSAI, concluded the session by stressing the significance of collaborative efforts in aligning sustainable packaging practices with food safety standards and India’s environmental commitments.