The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has directed all Food Business Operators (FBOs) to immediately discontinue the use of metallic pins, staple pins, wires, or similar materials in food packaging, warning that such practices pose a serious risk to consumer health and food safety.
In an advisory issued in the interest of public health, the food regulator stated that the use of metallic pins and wires for fastening food packets, takeaway parcels, cake boxes, sweet boxes, snack pouches, and other food packages has come to its notice. The agency also observed that such materials are being used in the preparation of decorative cakes and similar food products.
FSSAI highlighted that several incidents have been reported where metallic or staple pins were found embedded in or attached to cakes and packaged food, creating a significant food safety hazard. The regulator warned that consumers could inadvertently ingest these metallic objects, leading to injuries and other adverse health consequences.
The advisory directs all FBOs to immediately cease using metallic pins, wires, or any comparable fastening material for sealing, securing, or packaging food items, including bakery products, takeaway meals, snack packets, cakes, sweets, and other packaged foods.
FSSAI further cautioned that failure to comply with the directive will attract appropriate penal action under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the applicable regulations. The move reinforces the regulator’s commitment to enhancing food safety standards and protecting consumers from preventable packaging-related hazards.
