FSSAI hosts national stakeholder consultation on Sustainable Food Packaging in Mumbai, ET Government
MUMBAI: Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav underscored India’s commitment to sustainable food systems as he inaugurated the National Stakeholder Consultation on Sustainable Packaging for Food Business, organised by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), in Mumbai on Wednesday.
Highlighting the urgency of transitioning to eco-friendly packaging solutions, the Minister described sustainable packaging as “the need of the hour” and a critical step toward safeguarding both environmental and public health. He announced that FSSAI has prepared detailed guidelines for the use of recycled PET (rPET) in food packaging, following rigorous stakeholder consultations and alignment with international standards. A dedicated logo for consumer-friendly identification of sustainable packaging was also unveiled during the event.
Addressing the environmental impact of plastic waste, the Minister called for a national shift toward materials that are recyclable, biodegradable, and sustainable. “Plastic remains in our environment for years and poses severe ecological threats. India must lead the way by combining modern technology with traditional wisdom to adopt responsible packaging practices,” he said.
Applauding FSSAI and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for creating this national platform, he noted that such consultations are essential to ensure that food safety regulations are shaped by broad-based industry, academic, and consumer input.
The Minister also engaged in an open consultation session with stakeholders, offering a forum for industry voices to express challenges and propose solutions. The event drew over 1,500 participants, including food businesses, packaging firms, regulatory authorities, recyclers, and environmental groups.
In technical sessions, experts from FSSAI, BIS, CPCB, and leading industry players shared scientific insights and practical strategies for sustainable packaging, ranging from material innovation to circular economy practices. The Minister emphasized that India’s sustainability ambitions must be underpinned by regulatory clarity, stakeholder collaboration, and consumer awareness.
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