Food Packaging Assignment

Submitted by: Sara Biju, Section C, 3rd year, B. Sc. (Hons.) Food Technology

List of Books on Packaging in the Library:

Robertson, G.L. (2006) Food Packaging- Principles and Practice. CRC Press Taylor and Francis
Group

Articles on Food Packaging in Journals in the Library:

1. Journal: Food Technology (www.ift.org), Volume 74, No. 7-12, Jul-Dec (2020)

Articles:-

● The Role Of Metal In Food Packaging by Juhi Patel and Claire Koelsh Sand, July 2020,
Volume 74, No.7.
● The Dawn of the Food Packaging Value Chain by Claire Koelsh Sand, August 2020,
Volume 74, No. 8.
● Beta, XR, AI, and Big Data Advance Food Packaging by Claire Koelsh Sand, September
2020, Volume 74, No. 9.
● Reducing Food Waste via Active Packaging by Joshua E. Herkovitz and Julie M.
Goddard, September 2020, Volume 74, No. 9.
● Antimicrobial Packaging on the Rise again by Claire Koelsh Sand, October 2020,
Volume 74, No. 10.
● Packaging for Sweet Treats by Claire Koelsh Sand, November 2020, Volume 74, No.11.
● Orchestrating more sustainable Reusable Food Packaging by Claire Koelsch Sand,
December 2020/January 2021, Volume 74, No. 12

2. Journal: Journal of Food Science and Technology, Volume 56, No. 9-10, Sept-Oct (2019)

Article:-

Balestra F, Verardo V, Tappi S, Caboni MF, Dalla Rosa M, Romani S. Chemical and physical
changes during storage of differently packed biscuits formulated with sunflower oil. J Food Sci
Technol. 2019 Oct;56(10):4714-4721. doi: 10.1007/s13197-019-03918-z. Epub 2019 Jul 5.
PMID: 31686703; PMCID: PMC6801301.

1
3. Journal: Journal of Food Science and Technology, Volume 56, No. 3-4, Mar-Apr (2019)

Article:-

Zhang B, Huang C, Zhang L, Wang J, Huang X, Zhao Y, Liu Y, Li C. Application of chlorine

dioxide microcapsule sustained-release antibacterial films for preservation of mangos. J Food Sci
Technol. 2019 Mar;56(3):1095-1103. doi: 10.1007/s13197-019-03636-6. Epub 2019 Mar 1.
PMID: 30956289; PMCID: PMC6423259.

Laws and Regulations Related to Food Packaging as per FSSAI:

● Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018:-

According to Food Safety and Standards (Packaging), 2018 by FSSAI; the following are the
rules and regulations related to food packaging that are to be followed by food business
operators:-

General Requirements.-

(1) Every food business operator shall ensure that the packaging material used shall be in
accordance with these regulations:

Provided where Indian Standards are not available, then relevant International
Standards may be complied with.

(2) Any material which comes in direct contact with food or likely to come in contact with food
used for packaging, preparation, storing, wrapping, transportation and sale or service food shall
be of food grade quality.

(3) Packaging materials shall be suitable for the type of product, the conditions provided for
storage and the equipment for filling, sealing and packaging of food as well as transportation
conditions.

(4) Packaging materials shall be able to withstand mechanical, chemical or thermal stresses
encountered during normal transportation. In case of flexible or semi-rigid containers, an
overwrap packaging may be necessary.

(5) Food products shall be packed in clean, hygienic and tamper-proof package or container.

2
(6) The sealing material shall be compatible with the product and the containers as well as the
closure systems used for the containers.
(7) Tin containers, once used, shall not be re-used for packaging of food.

(8) Plastic containers of capacity 5 liter and above and Glass bottles, which are reused for
packaging of food, shall be suitably durable, easy to clean or disinfect.

(9) Printing inks for use on food packages shall conform to IS: 15495.

(10) Printed surface of packaging material shall not come into direct contact with food products.

(11) Newspaper or any such material shall not be used for storing and wrapping of food.

(12) In case of multilayer packaging the layer which comes in direct contact with food or layers
likely to come in contact with food shall meet the requirements of packaging materials specified
in Schedule I, II and III of these regulations.

(13) The materials listed in Schedule I, II and III of these regulations shall be compatible with
their intended use as a packaging material so as not to alter the quality and safety of the food
product.

(14) Every food business operator shall obtain the certificate of conformity issued by NABL
accredited laboratory against these regulations for the packaging material which comes in direct
contact with food or layers likely to come in contact with food to be used.

Specific Requirements for Primary food packaging.

1. Paper and board materials intended to come in contact with food products-

(a) Paper and board material shall be of uniform formation, thickness and substance.
(b) It shall be free from visible specks, grease marks, cuts, pinholes and other blemishes.
(c) The paper used for the manufacture of boxes, cartons, plates, cups and paper lids or paper
which are meant to be direct in contact with food shall be of food grade and shall be free from
contaminants.
(d) Paper and board materials used for the manufacturing of containers for packing or
storing the food products shall conform to either of the Indian Standards specifications
provided in Schedule – I (given below)

3
 2. Glass containers intended to come in contact with food products-

(a) As far as possible, they shall be free from blisters, mould marks, stones and chippings and as
far as possible shall be free from cords, seeds and other visible defects.
(b) They shall have a smooth surface without cracks, pinholes and sharp edges.
(c) The sealing surface shall be free from hairline cracks and prominent seam marks.

3. Metal and Metal Alloys intended to come in contact with food products-

(a) A utensil or container made of the following materials or metals, when used in the
preparation, packaging and storing of food shall be deemed to render it unfit for human
consumption:-

(i) containers which are rusty;

(ii) enamelled containers which have become chipped and rusty;
(iii) copper or brass containers which are not properly tinned.
(b) Appropriate grades of metal and metal alloys where applicable shall be used for
packing or storing of food products.

(c) Metal and metal alloys used for the manufacturing of containers for packing or storing the
food products shall conform to either of the Indian Standards
specifications as provided in Schedule – II (given below).

4. Plastic materials intended to come in contact with food products-

(a) Plastic materials used for the manufacturing of containers for packing or storing the
food products shall conform to either of the Indian Standards specifications as
provided in Schedule – III (given below):

Provided that Drinking Water (both Packaged and Mineral Water) shall be packed in colourless,
transparent and tamper-proof bottles or containers 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 or polypropylene (PP) conforming to IS: 10910 or food grade
polycarbonate conforming to IS: 14971 or polystyrene conforming to IS: 10142 or sterile glass
bottles only. The transparency of a container shall not be less than 85 percent in light
transmittance:

Provided also that all pigments or colorants as specified in Indian Standard IS: 9833 may be
allowed in plastic containers of five litre and above made of Polycarbonate and Polyethylene

4
Terephthalate (PET) used for packaging of mineral water and packaged drinking water. The
transparency of such containers shall not be less than 85 percent in light transmittance.

Provided further that food grade packaging materials as specified in regulations (1) to (3) of the
specific requirements for primary packaging, which may or may not contain plastic as
component compatible with the water to be packaged may also be used. In such cases
requirements of transparency would not apply. (As per amendment in force from 25th January,
2022)

(b) All packaging materials of plastic origin shall pass the prescribed overall migration
limit of 60 mg/kg or 10 mg/dm2 when tested as per IS 9845 with no visible colour
migration.

(c) Plastic materials and articles shall not release the substances in quantities
exceeding the specific migration limits listed under Table 1 (provided below)

(d) Pigments or Colorants for use in plastics in contact with food products and drinking
water shall conform to IS: 9833.

(e) Products made of recycled plastics including carry bags may be used for
packaging, storing, carrying or dispensing of food products as and when standards
and guidelines are framed by the Food Authority. Such packaging materials shall
also comply with any other national standards/regulations as applicable. (As per amendment
operationalized w.e.f. 18th January, 2022).

5. A list of suggestive packaging materials which may be used for packaging of food
products falling under the specified categories is provided in Schedule – IV (provided below):

Provided that this is an indicative list not restricting the use of any other packaging
material complying with the specified standards.

The Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018 were published in
the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part III, Section 4 vide notification number File No. 1-
95/Stds/Packaging/SP(L&C/A)/FSSAI-2017, dated the 24th December, 2018 and
subsequently amended vide notification number F. No. Std/SP-08/A-1.2019/N-01, dated 25th
January 2022.

Table 1 along with Schedule I, II, III and IV, as given by the FSSAI regulation, mentioned above
have been attached below:

5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
 ● Food safety and standards (labelling and display) regulations, 2020:-

These regulations prescribe the labelling requirements of pre-packaged foods and display of
essential information on premises where food is manufactured, processed, served and stored.

Labelling of pre-packaged foods:

General Requirements

1. Every pre-packaged food shall be labelled with information as required under these
regulations unless otherwise provided.
2. When a food product is sold through e-commerce or any other direct selling means, the
mandatory requirements of the label as given in these regulations shall be provided to the
consumer through appropriate means before sale.
3. Pre-packaged food shall not be described or presented on any label or in any labelling in a
manner that is false, misleading or deceptive or is likely to create an erroneous impression
regarding its character in any respect.
4. Any information or pictorial device written, printed, or graphic matter may be displayed on the
label provided that it is not in conflict with the requirements of these regulations.
5. The particulars of declaration required under these Regulations printed on the label shall be in
English or Hindi.
6. Label on pre-packaged foods shall be applied in such a manner that it will not become
separated from the container.
7. Contents on the label shall be clear, unambiguous, prominent, conspicuous, indelible and
readily legible by the consumer under normal conditions of purchase and use.
8. Where a package is provided with an outside container or wrapper and such container or
wrapper is displayed for retail sale, it shall also contain all the declarations which are required to
appear on the package except where such container or wrapper itself is transparent and the
declarations on the package(s) are easily readable through such outside container or wrapper.

Labelling Requirements

Every package shall carry the following information on the label, namely, -

(1) The Name of Food: Every package of food shall carry name of the food, which indicate the
true nature of the food contained in the package, on the Front of Pack:
(a) Where a food is specified by certain essential composition under Food Safety and Standards
Regulations made under the Act, that establishes its identity the name provided therein shall be
used;

15
(b) In the absence of such name, either a common or usual name or an accompanying description
of true nature of food shall be used;
(c) It may additionally have a ―coined‖, ―fanciful‖, ―brand‖ or ―trade name‖ subject to
compliance of Food Safety & Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulation 2018.

(2) List of Ingredients: Except for single ingredient foods, a list of ingredients shall be declared
on the label.

(3) Nutritional information: Nutritional Information per 100 g or 100 ml or per single
consumption pack of the product and per serve percentage (%) contribution to Recommended
Dietary Allowance calculated on the basis of 2000 kcal energy, 67 g total fat, 22 g saturated fat, 2
g trans-fat, 50 g added sugar and 2000 mg of sodium (5 g salt) requirement for average adult per
day, shall be given on the label.

(4) Declaration regarding Veg or Non veg

Non-Vegetarian Food: The symbol shall consist of a brown colour filled triangle inside a square
with brown outline.
Vegetarian Food: The symbol shall consist of a green colour filled circle, having a diameter not
less than the minimum size specified, inside the square with green outline having size double the
diameter of the circle.

(5) Declaration regarding Food Additives

(6) Declaration of name and complete address

(7) FSSAI logo and license number: The FSSAI logo and license number under the Act shall be
displayed on the label of the food package in contrast colour to the background. Fortified food
and organic food shall be marked with the logo as specified in the schedule of these regulations.
FSSAI may specify logo for any other food as decided from time to time.

(8) Net quantity, Retail Sale Price and Consumer Care details

(9) Lot/Code/Batch identification

(10) Date Marking: ―Date of manufacture or packaging‖ and ―Expiry/Use by‖ shall be declared
on the label. However, expression ―Best before‖ may also be used as optional or additional
information.

(11) Labelling of Imported Foods

16
(12) Country of Origin for Imported Foods

(13) Instructions for use

(14) Declaration regarding Food allergen

(15) Every package of food material sold in retail, but which is not meant for human
consumption shall bear a declaration to this effect by a symbol. The symbol shall consist of a
black colour cross inside a square with black outline having the sides of square not less than the
minimum size specified.

Principal display panel. -

(1) The information required under these regulations shall be given on the principal display
panel of the package or container and such information may be given in following manner, - (a)
All information should be grouped together and given at one place. Or (b) The pre-printed
information be grouped together and given in one place and, Online information or those not
pre-printed be grouped together in another place.

Labelling Requirements of non-retail container:

(1) Every packaged food meant for non-retail sale shall provide the following mandatory
information either on the container or pasted on the label thereto:

(a) Name of the food;

(b) Net Quantity;
(c) FSSAI Logo and License number;
(d) Date marking;
(e) Lot No.
(f) Name and address of the manufacturer or packer (including country of origin for imported
packages)

(2) The following information if not provided on the label shall be provided in the accompanying
documents:
(a) List of ingredients
(b) Declaration regarding Veg or Non-Veg (c)Nutritional information

(3) The following labelling requirements are exempted if they are provided in a Barcode/Global
Trade Identification Number (GTIN); -

17
(a) Address of the brand owner whether or not, he himself is the manufacturer, marketer, packer
or bottler, as the case may be,
(b) the license number of the manufacturer or marketer or packer or bottler, as the case may be, if
different from the brand owner.

(4) Every package meant for non- retail sale shall bear a statement ―NOT FOR RETAIL SALE‖

Labelling of packaged Food Additives for Retail Sale:

(1) Every package of a food additive meant for retail sale to the consumer shall be labelled in
accordance with the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020.

(2) Additionally, the label of every package of food additive shall provide the following
information under these regulations:
(a) Name of Food Additive
(b) Other Mandatory Declarations:
(i) Every package of a food additive sold in retail or non-retail sale shall be marked prominently
with the words ―FOR USE IN FOOD‖.
(ii) In the case of mixtures of flavourings, the name of each flavouring present in the mixture
need not be given but a common or generic expression ―flavour‖ or ―flavouring‖ may be used,
together with a true indication of the nature of the flavour. The expression ―flavour‖ or
―flavouring‖ shall be qualified by the words ―natural‖, nature-identical‖, ―artificial‖, or a
combination of these words, as appropriate. Provided that this qualifier does not apply to flavour
modifiers.

● Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011:-

General Requirements

1. A utensil or container made of the following materials or metals, when used in the preparation,
packaging and storing of food shall be deemed to render it unfit for human consumption:—
(a) containers which are rusty;
(b) enameled containers which have become chipped and rusty; (c) copper or brass containers
which are not properly tinned
(d) containers made of aluminium not conforming in chemical composition to IS:20 specification
for Cast Aluminium & Aluminium Alloy for utensils or IS:21 specification for Wrought
Aluminium and Aluminium Alloy for utensils.

18
2. Containers made of plastic materials should conform to the following Indian Standards
Specification, used as appliances or receptacles for packing or storing whether partly or wholly,
food articles namely:—

(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 and plastic containers once used, shall not be re-used for packaging of edible oils and
fats;

Provided that utensils or containers made of copper though not properly tinned, may be used for
the preparation of sugar confectionery or essential oils and mere use of such utensils or
containers shall not be deemed to render sugar confectionery or essential oils unfit for human
consumption.

3. General packaging requirements for Canned products, (i) All containers shall be securely
packed and sealed.
(ii) The exterior of the cans shall be free from major dents, rust, perforations and seam
distortions.
(iii) Cans shall be free from leaks.

Product specific requirements:

1. Packaging requirements for Milk and Milk Products

(a) Bottling or filling of containers with heat-treated milk and milk product shall be carried out
mechanically and the sealing of the containers shall be carried out automatically.
(b) Wrapping or packaging may not be re-used for dairy products, except where the containers
are of a type which may be re-used after thorough cleaning and disinfecting.
(c) Sealing shall be carried out in the establishment in which the last heat-treatment of drinking
milk or liquid milk-base products has been carried out, immediately after filling, by means of a
sealing device which ensures that the milk is protected from any adverse effects of external

19
origin on its characteristic. The sealing device shall be so designed that once the container has
been opened, the evidence of opening remains clear and easy to check.
(d) Immediately after packaging, the dairy products shall be placed in the rooms provided for
storage.

2. Packaging requirements for Edible oil/ fat:

Tin Plate used for the manufacture of tin containers for packaging edible oils and fats shall
conform to the standards of prime grade quality contained in B.I.S. Standards No. 1993 or 13955
or 9025 or 13954 as amended from time to time and in respect of Tin containers for packaging
edible oils and fats shall conform to IS No. 10325 or 10339 as amended from time to time.

3. Packaging requirements for Fruits and Vegetables Products

(i) Every container in which any fruit product is packed shall be so sealed that it cannot be
opened without destroying the licensing number and the special identification mark of the
manufacture to be displayed on the top or neck of the bottle.

(ii) For Canned fruits, juices and vegetables, sanitary top cans made up of suitable kind of tin
plates shall be used.

(iii) For Bottled fruits, juices and vegetables, only bottles/ jars capable of giving hermetic seal
shall be used.

(iv) Juices, squashes, crush, cordials, syrups, barley waters and other beverages shall be packed
in clean bottles securely sealed. These products when frozen and sold in the form of ice shall be
packed in suitable cartons. Juices and Pulps may be packed in wooden barrels when sulphited.

(v) For packing Preserves, Jams, Jellies, and Marmalades, new cans, clean jars, new canisters,
bottles, chinaware jars, aluminium containers may be used and it shall be securely sealed.

(vi) For Pickles, clean bottles, jars, wooden casks, tin containers covered from inside with
polythene lining of 250 gauge or suitable lacquered cans shall be used.

(vii) For Tomato Ketchups and Sauces, clean bottles shall be used. If acidity does not exceed
0.5% as acetic acid, open top sanitary cans may also be used.

(viii) Candied fruits and peels and dried fruits and vegetables can be packed in paper bags,
cardboard or wooden boxes, new tins, bottles, jars, aluminium and other suitable approved
containers.

20
(ix) Fruits and Vegetable products can also be packed in aseptic and flexible packaging material
having good grade quality conforming to the standards laid down by BIS.

4. Packaging requirements for Canned Meat Products

(i) New sanitary top cans made from suitable kind of tin plate shall be used. The cans shall be
lacquered internally; they shall be sealed hermetically after filling. The lacquer used shall be
sulphur resistant and shall not be soluble in fat or brine.

(ii) Cans used for filling pork luncheon meat shall be coated internally with edible gelatin, lard or
lined with vegetable parchment paper before being filled. 32 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA :
EXTRAORDINARY [PART III—SEC. 4]

(iii) Meat products packed in hermetically sealed containers shall be processed to withstand
spoilage under commercial conditions of storage and transport.

5. Packaging requirements for Drinking Water (Both Packaged and Mineral Water)

It shall be packed in clean, hygienic, colourless, transparent and tamperproof bottles/containers

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 or
polypropylene conforming to IS : 10910 or foodgrade polycarbonate or sterile glass bottles
suitable for preventing possible adulteration or contamination of the water. All packaging
materials of plastic origin shall pass the prescribed overall migration and colour migration limits.

There are additional rules and regulations for the labelling of food products which are listed in
the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011.

21