APRIL 17: 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.
In his address, Shri Jadhav emphasized the growing importance of sustainable packaging solutions in the food industry. He announced that FSSAI has developed guidelines for the use of recycled PET (rPET) in packaging after comprehensive consultations with various stakeholders, ensuring alignment with global best practices. Additionally, he unveiled a logo designed to help consumers easily identify products using sustainable packaging.
Shri Jadhav stressed the urgency of shifting towards sustainable, recyclable, and biodegradable packaging alternatives. He highlighted the environmental damage caused by plastic waste, which remains undecomposed for years, calling for a move to eco-friendly packaging solutions. He also praised India’s traditional ecological practices and emphasized the potential for the country to lead the global shift towards sustainability. “India has the potential to guide the world in this direction,” he remarked.
The Minister also commended the efforts of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and FSSAI for creating a platform for meaningful discussions on food safety and packaging. He later held an open consultation session with stakeholders, providing an opportunity to discuss challenges and future strategies for growth and improvement.
The event brought together over 1500 participants from various sectors, including food businesses, packaging industries, recycling associations, regulatory bodies, environmental organizations, consumer and farmer groups, and government departments. They engaged in discussions on the future of sustainable food packaging in India.
This consultation is part of an ongoing series aimed at fostering transparency, inclusivity, and evidence-based policymaking in food safety regulations. FSSAI has launched these national-level consultations to ensure greater engagement with all sectors, allowing them to share insights that contribute to the creation of practical, effective policies aligned with public health priorities.
A technical session during the consultation featured a presentation by the Chairperson of FSSAI’s Scientific Panel on Packaging, who discussed the scientific principles behind packaging standards. Experts from BIS and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) also addressed the session, sharing their perspectives on global and Indian standards for packaging and the role of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in promoting sustainable practices.
The event concluded with a session on collaborative efforts to advance sustainable packaging solutions in line with food safety standards and India’s environmental goals.
