India can prohibit toxic chemicals in food packaging. This is why it matters

Copyright © HT Digital Streams Limit all rights reserved. The US and the European Union have already limited or phased out these chemicals in food packaging. (Image: Pixabay) Summary India’s Food Safety Regulator FSSAI plans to ban harmful chemicals such as PFAs and BPAs in food packaging. What are these draft rules and why it is important to consumers? New -Delhi: India’s leading food safety regulator is focused on your everyday food packaging containing harmful chemicals. From fat-resistant citizen-encompassing microwave jump maize bags, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is working on the amendments of the packaging rules amid increasing evidence of serious health risks. FSSAI is planning adjustments for the food safety and standards (packaging) regulations to prohibit the use of poly and perfluoroalk stems (PFAs) and Bisfenol A (BPA) in materials in contact with foods, according to two government officials and documents reviewed by Mint. PFAs, also called ‘eternal chemicals’, are used to make packaging fat and water resistant. Their strong carbon luorine bonds prevent them from breaking down easily, so that they can accumulate in the area and the human body over time. BPA, used in polycarbonate plastic and epoxyharsen, is commonly found in reusable bottles and the linings of food cans. The proposed move of the FSSAI joins regulatory actions in the US and European Union, which have already limited or phased out these chemicals in food packaging. The decision stems from a growing body of scientific evidence linking PFAs and BPA exposure to a variety of health problems, from hormonal disruption and reproductive problems to diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease. Some studies also indicate possible links to testicular and kidney cancer. This is not the first time FSSAI has acted on plastic packaging. FSSAI has previously prohibited the use of recycled plastic or newspapers for packaging food items, with new regulations coming into effect. In the 2019 Regulations. The new rules replaced the previous food safety and standards (packaging and labeling), 2011. India also prohibited the manufacture, distribution, stocking and sale of 19 specific plastic items, including items, such as a plastic, sprinkle, straw, straw, and certain types. However, this current proposal is specifically aimed at the use of PFAs and BPAs, which are chemicals used in food contact material. What the draft regulations suggested that the new draft regulations institute two key requirements under the general safety assessments of the existing 2018 food safety regulations, one of the government officials said he was requesting anonymity. “The first is a clear ban on the use of PFAs in the production of food contact material. The second mandates that food contact material made with polycarbonate and epoxy resin should be free from BPA and its derivatives,” said a government official. Fssai sought comments from relevant stakeholders in early December. The official added that the FSSAI’s actions are aimed at improving consumer safety by eliminating harmful chemicals that can leach from food products. Important takeaways India’s Food Safety Regulator plans to prohibit PFAs and BPAs in food packaging from combating long -term health risks. The move brings India in line with the US and the EU, where such chemicals are already being phased out. PFAs, known as ‘eternal chemicals’, continue in the environment and human body, leading to possible chronic diseases. The proposed ban aims to eliminate harmful leaching of packaging in food products. Inquiries sent to the FSSAI spokesman on Monday remained unanswered until by time. Public health experts welcomed the step as a long -lasting preventative measure. Dr. Rohit Sharma, consultant of the Internal Medicine Division at Apollo Spectra Hospital at Jaipur, said: “These ‘eternal chemicals’ have for many years in silence entered our bodies through everyday packaging, water bottles, casings and cans without any visible warning. Prioritize it also public health. Forbidden, is an essential step, in line with global safety trends. become. Robust testing capacity will also be essential to helping the industry evaluate and ensure, “Nishtala added. Catch all the business news, market news, news reports and latest news updates on live mint. Download the Mint News app to get daily market updates. More topics #FMCG Read next story