India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) has proposed a significant regulatory change aimed at strengthening food safety and consumer protection. On October 11, 2025, the FSSAI released a draft amendment to the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018, seeking public comments over a 60-day period.
The proposed amendment intends to prohibit the use of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—a group of persistent and potentially harmful chemicals—in food contact materials. In addition, it proposes banning materials made from polycarbonate and epoxy resins that contain Bisphenol A (BPA) and its derivatives. Both PFAS and BPA have been linked to adverse health and environmental effects, and the proposed restrictions align India’s food safety standards more closely with global regulatory trends.
However, the draft does not yet specify when the ban would come into effect, nor has the timeline for the final publication and enforcement of these regulations been outlined. Moreover, the draft amendment does not provide a comprehensive list of PFAS compounds that would be covered under the ban, leaving details to be clarified in subsequent notifications or guidance documents.
Overall, the proposal represents an important step toward reducing chemical contamination risks in food packaging, but further clarity will be needed on scope, implementation timelines, and enforcement mechanisms before the regulation takes effect.
The draft amendment adds two new regulations as follows:
· Regulation 15 Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs) shall not be used in manufacturing of food contact materials.
· Regulation 16 Food contact materials manufactured with polycarbonate and epoxy resins shall be free from Bisphenol A (BPA) and its derivatives.
