The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) announced that it is seeking public comments on a significant revision of standards aimed at enhancing food safety and consumer protection. The standards in question pertain to the use of kraft liners and corrugated cardboard as food contact materials (FCM), specifically when these materials contain sulfates or pulp components. The deadline for public comments is set for February 10, 2025.
The key of this revision includes stringent restrictions on the contaminants in paper-based food contact materials, with specific limits set in milligrams per kilogram of paper:
| Contaminant | Paper Intended to Come into Contact with Dry Food |
Paper Intended to Come into Contact with Wet Food and Food with Fatty Surface |
Paper for Filtration |
| Cadmium | - | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| Chromium | - | 0.1 | 1.0 |
| Lead | - | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Mercury | - | 0.3 | 0.3 |
| Pentachlorophenol (PCP) | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.05 |
| Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) | 2.0 | 2.0 | 0.5 |
Furthermore, the BIS has also emphasized specific requirements for packaging and labeling to improve product traceability and transparency. Packaging must clearly display the following information:
- Description, substance and grade of material;
- Diameter and width of roll;
- Mass in kg of the roll including the mass of the core and plugs;
- Lot number;
- Month and year of manufacture; and
- Manufacturer's name and trade-mark, if any.
Products that meet these new standards will be certified under the provisions of the 2016 BIS Act and its regulations, and will be authorized to carry the BIS standard mark.
BIS urges the public to actively participate in providing feedback to further enhance public health and safety.
Further Information
