Key facts
- FSSAI has banned the use of metallic pins and wires in food packaging.
- The ban applies to all food business operators (FBOs) in India.
- The regulator cited risks of injury and adverse health consequences for consumers.
- Non-compliance will result in penal action under the FSS Act, 2006.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a directive to all food business operators (FBOs) to cease the use of metallic pins and wires in the packaging of food items and parcels. This advisory, issued in the interest of public health and food safety, highlights that such materials have been found embedded in or attached to food packages and decorative cakes, posing a significant risk of inadvertent consumption by consumers, which could lead to injury and adverse health consequences.
FSSAI warned that failure to comply with this directive will result in penal action under the provisions of the FSS Act, 2006, and applicable regulations. The regulator noted that instances of metallic/staple pins being found in food products and packages have been reported, creating a serious food safety hazard.