The move seeks to address the environmental burden associated with small, difficult-to-recycle plastic sachets while bringing pan masala packaging in line with existing plastic-waste rules. What The New Rules SayUnder the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Amendment Regulations, 2026, pan masala can now be packaged only in specified plastic-free materials. The amendment also incorporates provisions of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, which prohibit plastic sachets for storing, packing or selling gutkha, tobacco and pan masala. At that stage, the regulator proposed shifting pan masala packaging away from plastic and metallised materials and invited stakeholders to submit feedback. Do you think replacing plastic pan masala sachets alone can make a meaningful dent in India’s plastic waste crisis, or is it time for even stronger, system-wide measures that go further upstream?