Union Minister Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav inaugurated the National Stakeholder Consultation on sustainable food packaging in Mumbai on April 16, 2025, where he announced that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has finalized new guidelines for the use of recycled PET (rPET) in food packaging. As part of this initiative, a distinct logo has also been developed to help consumers easily identify products packaged using rPET. The move aims to promote eco-friendly packaging practices that align with international standards and support public health priorities
During his address, the Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare stressed the urgent need to shift towards sustainable packaging solutions, citing the long-term environmental hazards caused by conventional plastic materials. He emphasized the importance of adopting biodegradable, recyclable, and sustainable alternatives, calling it “the need of the hour.” Highlighting India's traditional ecological knowledge, he advocated for blending ancient wisdom with modern innovations to position India as a global leader in sustainable packaging practices.
Minister Jadhav applauded the efforts of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and FSSAI for organizing the consultation, describing it as a crucial step toward addressing the health and environmental challenges linked to food packaging. He also held an informal session with stakeholders, providing a platform for them to voice their concerns and explore collaborative solutions for future improvements.
The consultation attracted over 1,500 participants, including representatives from food businesses, packaging and recycling industries, regulatory authorities, environmental and consumer groups, farmer collectives, and government departments. An open consultation session allowed stakeholders to share real-world challenges and discuss opportunities for innovation and policy improvements.
A major highlight of the consultation was a technical session led by FSSAI’s Scientific Panel on Packaging, which outlined the scientific foundations and transparent consultative process used to develop the new packaging standards. Experts from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) shared insights into both global and Indian standards, as well as the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility under the Plastic Waste Management Rules.
Industry representatives presented innovative approaches to developing eco-friendly, lightweight, and recyclable packaging solutions tailored for food and beverages. The session concluded with a debrief by Dr. Alka Rao, Advisor (Science & Standards and Regulations), who underscored the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in ensuring that sustainable packaging solutions align with food safety norms and environmental goals.
This consultation is part of FSSAI’s broader national initiative to promote inclusive and transparent policy-making. By engaging with industry experts, academia, consumer and farmer groups, and regulators, FSSAI aims to build science-based, practical food safety regulations that reflect on-ground realities and align with public health goals.
