FSSAI has issued directions dated 07 February 2020 regarding the immediate operationalisation of Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Amendment Regulations, 2020 relating to specific migration limits of Antinomy and Phthalic acid, bis(2-ethylhexyl) ester (DEHP) and Packaging of Drinking Water.
The draft regulations for the same are in the process of being notified and the process of draft notification, consideration of comments, if any that may be received, and the finalisation of the above -mentioned regulations are likely to take some time. However, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has permitted the use of food grade packaging materials for packaged water other than those mentioned in the regulations. NGT has permitted this in order to reduce and manage plastic waste. Since other food grade packaging material is being permitted for packaging water, therefore the FSSAI has decided to operationalise the regulations regarding the specific migration limits of Antinomy and Phthalic acid, bis(2-ethylhexyl) ester (DEHP) for plastic material intended to be in contact with articles of food.
Henceforth all Food Business Operators must follow the revised regulations but the enforcement of these regulations shall commence after 6 months from the date of issue of these directions or after the final notification in the Gazette of India, whichever is later.
Previous notice for operationalisation of draft Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Amendment Regulation 2020
In the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Amendment Regulations 2018 under regulation regarding Specific Requirements for Primary Food Packaging, in the sub-regulation category (4) regarding Plastic Materials intended to come in contact with food products, the FSSAI had proposed adding the following provision for packaging of drinking water
“other food grade packaging materials compatible with the water to be packaged may also be used. In such cases requirement of transparent bottle would not apply.”
The amendment regarding the specific migration limits of substances from plastic materials intended to be in contact with articles of food, the following specifications have been added to the existing ones.
Substances Maximum Migration Limit (mg/Kg)
Antimony 0.04
Phthalic acid, bis(2-ethylhexyl) ester (DEHP) 1.5
Source: FSSAI