Sustainable Packaging Takes Centre Stage as Minister Inaugurates National Consultation
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Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav, inaugurated a crucial National Stakeholder Consultation on Sustainable Packaging for Food Business in Mumbai on April 16, 2025. Organised by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the event brought together over 1500 participants to discuss the future of eco-friendly food packaging in India.
India Poised to Lead Global Sustainability Efforts
Shri Jadhav emphasised the urgent need for a global shift towards sustainable, recyclable, and biodegradable packaging alternatives, highlighting the environmental concerns associated with plastic waste. He expressed confidence in India's potential to lead the world in adopting sustainable practices, drawing inspiration from ancient ecological methods and integrating them with modern techniques.
Key Takeaways from the Consultation:
- FSSAI has finalised guidelines for the use of rPET in food packaging, aligning with global best practices and incorporating stakeholder feedback.
- A new logo has been developed to help consumers easily identify sustainable food packaging.
- The consultation underscored the importance of collaboration between industry, regulatory bodies, and consumer groups to develop effective and practical sustainable packaging solutions.
- Discussions covered scientific risk assessments, global and Indian packaging standards, and the role of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in waste management.
Driving Sustainable Packaging Forward
The consultation served as a vital platform for over 1500 stakeholders, including representatives from food businesses, packaging industries, recycling associations, regulatory bodies, environmental organisations, consumer groups, farmer groups, and government departments. They engaged in deliberations aimed at shaping the future of sustainable food packaging in India.
FSSAI's Commitment to Inclusive Policy Making
This event is part of FSSAI's ongoing initiative to foster inclusivity, transparency, and evidence-based policymaking in food safety regulations. By actively engaging diverse stakeholders, FSSAI aims to incorporate ground-level insights and sector-specific perspectives into its regulatory framework, ensuring policies are both practical and aligned with public health and environmental goals.
Industry Innovations and Consumer Expectations
Technical sessions featured presentations on innovative eco-friendly packaging solutions, the importance of plastic waste recovery for a circular economy, and consumer expectations regarding sustainable food packaging. Representatives from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) also shared insights into existing standards and regulatory frameworks for sustainable practices.