Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav inaugurated a national stakeholder consultation on sustainable packaging in the food sector on Wednesday.
Speaking at the event hosted by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, Jadhav called for a “shift toward alternatives that are sustainable, recyclable, and biodegradable,” citing environmental risks associated with plastic use.
“With our rich traditional knowledge and modern scientific advances, India has the potential to lead the world in sustainability,” he said, stressing the urgency of transitioning away from conventional plastic packaging.
New Guidelines and Labelling Rolled Out
More than 1,500 stakeholders from the food industry, packaging sector, recycling associations, regulatory agencies, environmental NGOs and consumer and farmer groups attended the event held in Mumbai.
The consultation focused on global trends and regulatory frameworks shaping the future of food packaging in India.
FSSAI announced the completion of guidelines for the use of recycled polyethylene terephthalate, or rPET, in food packaging. The guidelines were developed after extensive consultation with industry and regulatory partners.
A new logo to help consumers identify sustainable packaging was also unveiled.
The initiative is part of a broader national effort to foster inclusive, evidence-based policy development. “This consultation provides a critical platform to align industry practices with public health and environmental priorities,” said Jadhav.
Industry Emphasizes Innovation and Collaboration
The event’s technical sessions featured input from the Bureau of Indian Standards, the Central Pollution Control Board and private sector leaders.
Discussions ranged from packaging safety standards and Extended Producer Responsibility under plastic waste management rules to industry-led innovations in lightweight and recyclable packaging.
Dr. Alka Rao, advisor to FSSAI, concluded the session by emphasizing the need for collaborative approaches to ensure food safety while advancing environmental sustainability.
The consultation marks the latest step in FSSAI’s ongoing dialogues to incorporate grassroots insights into national food safety regulations.
