Not every packaging material is food grade unless it complies with the standard made for it.
FSSAI have specified the standards for the packaging materials which comes in direct contact with food.
Actually these standards (IS) are prepared by Beauro of Indian Standards(BIS) which are adopted by FSSAI and made it mandatory for every Food Business Operator Packaging food.
With the help of following list ,any food business operator can verify , whether their food packaging material is complying with the standard or not.
Standards for a food grade packaging materials:
(i) IS : 10146 (Specification for Polyethylene in contact with foodstuffs)
(ii) IS : 10142 (Specification for Styrene Polymers in contact with foodstuffs)
(iii) IS : 10151 (Specification for Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), in contact with foodstuffs)
(iv) IS : 10910 (Specification for Polypropylene in contact with foodstuffs)
(v) IS : 11434 (Specification for Ionomer Resins in contact with foodstuffs)
(vi) IS: 11704 -Specification for Ethylene Acrylic Acid (EAA) copolymer.
(vii) IS: 12252 - Specification for Poly alkylene terephathalates (PET).
(viii) IS: 12247 - Specification for Nylon 6 Polymer
(ix) IS: 13601 - Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA)
(x) IS: 13576 - Ethylene Metha Acrylic Acid (EMAA)
(xi) Tin containers for packaging edible oils and fats should conform to IS No. 10325 or 10339 as amended from time to time.
And
Tin Plate used for the manufacture of such tin containers should conform to B.I.S. Standards No. 1993 or 13955 or 9025 or 13954 as amended from time to time.
(xii) Bottles/containers used for Packaged Drinking water should be made of polyethylene (PE) (conforming to IS:10146 or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) conforming to IS : 10151 or polyalkylene terephthalate (PET and PBT) conforming to IS : 12252 orpolypropylene conforming to IS : 10910.
Note:Tin and plastic containers once used, shall not be re-used for packaging of edible oils and fats.
References:-
FSS(Packaging & lebelling) Regulation,2011.
