To make eco-conscious food packaging, Union Minister Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav on Monday launched India’s official guidelines for Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (rPET) at the 2nd National Stakeholder Consultation on Sustainable Packaging for the Food Business, organized by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
Held at the MMRDA New Administrative Building in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex, the event brought together industry experts, scientists, policymakers, and regulators to align on the future of safe and sustainable food packaging in India.
Key Developments:
- rPET Guidelines Released: These mark a regulatory milestone, enabling the use of safer, environmentally friendly plastic packaging in the food industry.
- Launch of the FCM-rPET Logo: An official symbol for food contact materials made using recycled PET.
- Awareness Video Unveiled: FSSAI released an informative film highlighting its packaging regulations and sustainability initiatives.
- Expert-Led Sessions: Discussions focused on packaging innovations, safety standards, extended producer responsibility (EPR), and circular economy models.
In his keynote address, Minister Jadhav said,
“Sustainability and safety go hand in hand. Our initiatives through FSSAI are not just reforms—they are a revolution in the way India approaches food packaging.”
Expert Perspectives:
- Prof. Vimal Katiyar, Chair of FSSAI’s Scientific Panel on Packaging, highlighted how the 2018 Packaging Regulations enable the industry to transition toward greener practices.
- Sachin S. Menon from BIS compared India’s evolving packaging norms with global benchmarks.
- Dr. Y. Sontakke, former CPCB Director, underlined the critical role of EPR in minimizing plastic waste.
- Dr. Vijay Habbu (AIPMA) explored next-gen technologies in sustainable packaging.
- Bharat Mehta, PET Packaging Association, emphasized industry alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Shailendra Singh, Director General, APR Bharat, spoke on the value of robust recycling systems in achieving circularity.
FSSAI advisors Dr. Alka Rao and Pritee Chaudhary shared updates on regulatory and awareness efforts spearheaded by the authority to support sustainability and consumer safety.
The consultation concluded with a unified message: India is ready to become a global leader in sustainable food packaging, backed by regulatory clarity, technological innovation, and a shared commitment across sectors.