Recycled Plastic Could Soon Be Used In Food Packaging, All You Need To Know!

Food is often packaged in plastic to store and protect it from getting damaged. However, there are now discussions about using recycled plastic for food packaging. But it’s not that easy. It requires strict safety checks to ensure it does not contaminate food. Here’s all you need to know!

Recycled Plastic May Soon Be Used In Food Packaging

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed allowing chemically recycled polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) for food packaging. According to South First, however, before they can be used, manufacturers must ensure that the recycled plastics meet the required safety standards.

FSSAI has also proposed allowing recycled plastic made from food-grade packaging in the outermost layer of food packets. These packets have multiple layers. The inner layers must act as a protective barrier so that chemicals from the recycled plastic do not reach the food. 

FSSAI shared the proposed changes to the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018, on November 2, 2026. It has given stakeholders and the public 60 days to share their suggestions or raise objections after the Gazette notification becomes available. 

Also Read: Starting A Food Business In India? FSSAI To Help You Navigate Safety Rules & Approvals

What Does The Proposal Suggest? 

Under the first proposed change, manufacturers can use chemically recycled PE and PP made through the monomer route in food packaging. However, the final recycled plastic must be as safe as new plastic and meet the same safety standards.

This rule applies to chemical recycling processes mentioned under Indian Standard IS 14534. It does not allow the use of all types of recycled plastic or every recycling method in food packaging.

What are your thoughts on this? Tell us in the comments below!

Also Read: Why Is FSSAI Proposing To Ban Added Sugar In Baby Food For Infants Up To 6 Months?

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/ Joaquín Corbalán (Representative Image)

Priyanshi Shah | Content Writer

Priyanshi Shah is a Content Writer at Curly Tales with 4 years of experience in writing. She loves writing about fashion, food, travel and entertainment. She has completed her graduation with a Bachelor of Business Administration (Marketing) from Gujarat University in Ahmedabad. What keeps Priyanshi going is hot chocolate, books and rom-com movies.