Sugar mills urge govt for exemption from jute bags packaging rules

The request for relaxation has been made due to the increased cost associated with the use of jute bags, as well as the operational challenges they present

Sugar millers have urged the government to totally exempt sugar from the mandatory 20 per cent jute-bag packaging from the 2023-24 season, which will start in October.

The relaxation has been sought on grounds of increase in cost due to use of jute bags and also owing to operational challenges.

In a letter to the textiles secretary, the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories (NFCSF) said that while jute bags were good for packaging of grains, they were not ideal for sugar. Jute bags, being airy, protect live entities like grains and cereals, but may not be effective for sugar.

Also, sugar is highly hygroscopic and a part of the annual production is stored for more than one year. It sometimes passes through two rainy seasons and moisture gained during production or storage is not good for sugar.

The letter also states that, unlike grains, which need to be cleaned before cooking, sugar is consumed in its existing form. Sugar packaging in jute bags is also harmful when consumed directly: Jute fibres cannot be removed from sugar.

The gaps and pores in jute bags could lead to moisture gain, which could result in microbiological growth.

The millers said that the colour of sugar packed in jute bags may deteriorate over time. Bulk consumers of sugar, such as beverages, biscuits and confectionery makers, refuse to accept such discoloured sugar.