IIP to submit report on bulk packaging of tea in April

Kolkata: The Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP) that has been entrusted with the responsibility of developing scientific packaging of tea by the Tea Board will submit its report in April.

"At present, there is no standard packaging for tea. The exporters have been using mainly multi-wall paper sack for bulk export and have little knowledge about the shelf life of tea. The Tea Board that comes under the aegis of union Commerce & Industry ministry has given us the responsibility of developing a standard packaging for tea export. We are in the final stage and will submit our report next month," IIP director NC Saha said.

The IIP will specify a 35 kg package format for bulk export and is likely to recommend three to four types of packaging to the Tea Board.

They have already experimented with as many as 8 types of packaging format and will recommend a shelf life of 12 or 18 months for tea packaging.

Presently, the two types of tea - CTC and Orthodox that is exported from the eastern part usually has multi-wall paper sacks and that from the southern part of the country has plastic woven sack sandwich package form.

It may be mentioned that tea is exported to most of the foreign countries across the globe from three places in eastern India- Siliguri, Kolkata and Guwahati and Coimbatore in the south.

A senior official of IIP said after a certain period of time, the fragrance of tea deteriorates for which it becomes difficult for the common people to detect.

But this losing of fragrance is an indicator of deterioration of quality as well.

Elaborating on the various factors that have been taken into consideration while developing the packaging, he said the packages have been exposed to extreme weather conditions and humidity to ascertain how long the flavour can be retained and whether there is development of any moisture or presence of any pesticide.

"Tanin is an important element in tea that results in the stimulation factor. We are keeping this factor in mind while developing the packaging," the official added.

The Tea Board after getting the report will gradually move towards making the packaging recommended by IIP, mandatory for tea exporters across the country.

"The entire process will take time. We will have to create awareness among dealers and exporters of tea in the form of seminars or other similar activities before making the packaging compulsory for export," an official of Tea Board said.

It may be mentioned that IIP is an autonomous body working under the administrative control of Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry.