Respack: Regulation must support innovation in food packaging

The opening keynote session at Respack 2026 was 'Statutory regulation for foods and beverages and its compliance'. It highlighted a reality increasingly defining the packaging industry: innovation can only succeed when supported by robust regulation, while regulation must evolve quickly enough to accommodate innovation.

Chaired by Rajani Ranjan Rashmi, IAS (Retd), former chief secretary of Manipur, distinguished independent fellow at TERI and mentor at FIPS, the session brought together regulators and industry leaders to discuss the future of food and beverage packaging in India. The keynote featured Prof (Dr) Alka Rao, advisor (Science, Standards and Regulation Act) at FSSAI, and Ashwani Sharma, president and CEO of Uflex's liquid packaging business.

Together, their presentations offered a view of an industry balancing food safety, sustainability, compliance and global competitiveness.

Packaging as the first line of food safety

Speaking for the regulatory body FSSAI, Rao stressed that packaging is far more than a container. "It is the first line of contact for food," she said, explaining why regulators increasingly view packaging through the lens of consumer safety.

Rao noted that FSSAI has significantly expanded its engagement with stakeholders over the last two years, conducting systematic consultations with food businesses, manufacturers, industry associations and government bodies. These discussions are being incorporated into the authority's scientific processes and standards development framework.

One of the key clarifications she offered concerned the role of FSSAI in regulating packaging. While packaging is often perceived as a highly regulated sector, Rao explained that it remains a de-licensed industry.

"FSSAI does not issue licences to packaging manufacturers," she said. Instead, manufacturers must comply with applicable standards, many of which are prescribed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Even where packaging materials are not explicitly covered under FSSAI regulations, compliance with national standards remains essential.

A digital gateway for innovation

A major announcement during Rao's presentation was the launch of FSSAI's new single-window portal for approvals and risk assessments, which went live on 1 June 2026.

The portal is designed to streamline approvals for emerging materials and technologies, improving transparency and reducing administrative complexity. While recycled PET (rPET) approvals will now move through the platform, its scope extends much further.

Recognising that innovation often outpaces regulation, FSSAI has introduced an ‘others’ category for new materials and technologies not yet covered by existing standards. This could include plant-based packaging materials, advanced barrier solutions and other sustainable alternatives entering the market.

Rao emphasised that companies are free to import new materials for research and development. However, before these materials can be commercialised for food-contact applications, they must undergo a formal risk assessment process.

"In a fast-growing and fast-evolving world, there will always be areas where standards do not yet exist," she said. "That is why risk assessment becomes critical."

The regulator has also created a structured interaction mechanism, including regular meetings with applicants, start-ups and innovators seeking guidance on approval pathways.

A cautious approach to recycled plastics

Rao also addressed one of the industry's most closely watched developments: food-grade recycled plastics.

According to FSSAI, more than 360,000 metric tonnes of rPET production capacity has already received approval. The authority currently permits only PET for food-contact recycling because of its comparatively favourable safety profile and lower absorption characteristics.

She reiterated that India's framework follows a closed-loop model, focusing on bottle-to-bottle and cap-to-cap recycling systems supported by traceability, auditing and quality assurance requirements.

Importantly, Rao sought to dispel perceptions that regulators favour or oppose specific packaging substrates.

"FSSAI does not see any material as a hero or a zero," she said. "Whether it is plastic, paper, glass, metal or bio-based materials, our objective is safety."

Asepto's journey from challenger to global player

If Rao's presentation focused on the regulatory foundations of the industry, Sharma's keynote demonstrated how innovation can create new opportunities within those boundaries.

Speaking on the theme From India to the World: Redefining Aseptic Packaging, Sharma recounted the origins and growth of Asepto, Uflex's aseptic liquid packaging business.

The aseptic packaging market had long been dominated by a handful of global companies. Uflex identified this concentration as an opportunity.

"We saw a gap and chose to make the most of the opportunity," Sharma said.

Launched in 2017, Asepto was built with the ambition of challenging established players while leveraging Uflex's global manufacturing expertise. Today, the company serves markets across multiple geographies and continues to expand its footprint.

Growth driven by design and sustainability

Sharma explained that Asepto's strategy rests on four pillars: global expansion, customer-centricity, operational excellence and sustainability.

One of the company's differentiators has been its focus on packaging aesthetics. Traditionally, aseptic cartons have been viewed primarily as functional packaging. Asepto sought to change that perception through innovations such as holography and foil stamping, enabling brands to create stronger shelf impact.

The company has also invested heavily in manufacturing infrastructure. Sharma highlighted Asepto's facilities in India and its newest plant in Egypt, which he described as a strategic location due to its geographic positioning and extensive free-trade agreements.

Another notable development is the installation of a high-speed production line, which Sharma said represents a first for the aseptic packaging sector.

Sustainability remains central to the company's long-term vision. Initiatives include material optimisation, energy-conscious manufacturing and waste reduction programmes. The company is also promoting the recovery and recycling of used aseptic cartons, with recovered paper fibres and polymer fractions being redirected into secondary applications.

Shared goals, different roles

Although their perspectives came from opposite ends of the value chain, both speakers ultimately conveyed a similar message. The future of packaging will depend on collaboration between regulators and industry.

Rao called for patience and scientific rigour in the approval process, emphasising that careful assessment is necessary to ensure consumer safety. Sharma, meanwhile, highlighted the importance of innovation, investment and sustainability in driving industry growth.

Together, the presentations illustrated how India's packaging sector is evolving. Regulation is becoming more transparent and responsive, while manufacturers are expanding their technological and geographic ambitions. The result is an ecosystem increasingly prepared to meet the demands of a market where safety, sustainability and performance are no longer separate priorities but interconnected expectations.