The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has granted authorization to six additional manufacturing units for the production of food-contact grade recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET), significantly expanding the country’s capacity for sustainable packaging materials. The move was formalized through an Extraordinary Gazette notification issued on May 23, 2025.
This development marks a notable step in FSSAI’s ongoing efforts to promote circular economy principles in food packaging. The approvals are aligned with the updated “Guidelines for Acceptance of Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) as Food Contact Material,” which lay out stringent standards for decontamination and safety protocols.
The newly authorized facilities have demonstrated compliance with FSSAI-approved decontamination technologies, including advanced processes such as Super-Clean and Melt-In systems, ensuring the rPET produced meets the safety requirements for direct food contact applications.
Industry stakeholders view the expansion as a timely enabler for meeting sustainability goals and reducing dependency on virgin plastic, particularly in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and bottled beverage sectors.
With this regulatory milestone, India continues to align its food packaging standards with global best practices, opening new avenues for investment and innovation in the recycled plastics supply chain. The updated guidelines are now in effect nationwide.