Revision in BIS standard for using colourants and pigments in food grade plastics

12-Feb-14

BIS standard for using colourants and pigments in food grade plastics are set to be revised, as reported by Business Standard. The present standard, IS 9833, was first published in 1981 to ensure that manufacturers of food packaging materials use pigments and colorants which are not harmful to the consumers as there is a possibility of migration colours & pigments (used in the packaging material) into the food product. After more than 30 years, BIS has started the work on revision of this standard two years back to keep pace with the changing environment. “The revised standards should be out in next few days, as it is in the printing stage. In the new standard, the list of the pigments has been increased keeping in view the latest trend. Test methods for measuring heavy metals and amines have also been included in it. The new standard is more stringent and is based on international standards such as US FDA, EC Directives, etc,” said Gupta, Secretary PCD12, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) ETAD, headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, coordinates the efforts of its members to minimise any possible adverse impact of organic colorants on health and the environment. Against this background, ETAD organised a conference on ‘Product stewardship & safety related issues, regulation and compliance’ on January 30, 2014 in Mumbai.