Leading cooperatives and private food and beverage manufacturers have appealed to the government to bring down customs as well as excise duties on aseptic packaging material.
They have come together under the aegis of The Aseptic Food Processing and Packaging Industry Association of India (AFPPA) and have argued that a lower duty component will not only make the domestic fruit and milk product manufacturing industry price competitive vis-a-vis imports, but will also reduce consumer price, increase volumes, and reduce wastage.
Aseptic packaging increases shelf-life and preserves the nutrition of food items. But since it is expensive, most companies do not use it, leading to high wastage. Said D P Tripathy, senior advisor to the association: