(a) whether the Government is contemplating to take any steps to make food products plastic packaging free which are being sold in plastic packs;
(b) if so, the time by which this action plan is likely to be made operational; and
(c) if not, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF STATE
CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)
(a) to (c) : Rule 4 (b) of Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 notified by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate change provided that carry bags made of recycled plastic or products made of recycled plastic can be used for storing, carrying, dispensing or packaging ready to eat or drink food stuff subject to the notification of appropriate standards and regulation under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (34 of 2006) by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
Accordingly, FSSAI has notified Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018 prescribing standards for materials coming in contact with food products, including packaging materials. To enable Food and Beverage Industry to reduce their plastic foot print, following regulatory measures have been taken by FSSAI:-
(i) issued guidelines for use of bamboo as food contact material;
(ii) allowed serving drinking water in paper-sealed reusable glass bottles for captive use within the hotel premises subject to certain conditions;
(iii) removed the restriction on use of returnable bottles for packaging of artificially sweetened beverages;
(iv) permitted the use of liquid nitrogen dosing in PET (polyethylene terephthalate)bottles during the packaging of drinking water;
(v) permitted the use of other food grade packaging materials for packaging of drinking water other than plastics that are used currently;
(vi) Promoted bio degradable packaging as part of Eat Right India initiative and encouraged Food Businesses to reduce use of plastics.
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