In Kashmir, where the apple industry forms the backbone of rural livelihoods, every detail of cultivation, storage, and transport carries weight. The region’s farmers, who nurture orchards across valleys and slopes, depend not only on the quality of their produce but also on the integrity of the systems that deliver it to markets. Packaging, often overlooked, has emerged as a crucial link in this chain; one that touches both health and industry.
Recent clarifications on the use of sodium silicate adhesives in apple packaging boxes have brought the issue into sharper focus. The adhesive, commonly used in corrugated cardboard, is said to bind within paper fibres after drying and does not ordinarily pose direct acute toxicity risks to consumers. Regulatory frameworks, including food safety protocols, recognize silicates as safe within prescribed limits. Yet, the matter is not without complexity.
Bureau of Indian Standards has long maintained that highly alkaline adhesives, including sodium silicate, should not be permitted in corrugated fibreboard meant for food packaging. This divergence between permissible use in certain food contexts and prohibition in packaging standards underscores the need for clarity and vigilance. Farmers and traders, who rely on these boxes to move apples from orchards to mandis and onward to distant cities, cannot afford ambiguity. Their industry thrives on trust; trust that the fruit reaching consumers is not only fresh but also safely handled.
The government’s plans to regulate packaging materials reflect an understanding of this responsibility. Instructions have been issued to marketing officers and mandi supervisors to monitor fruit markets and packing areas, ensuring that sub-standard or silicate-treated boxes do not slip through unchecked. Awareness campaigns are underway to sensitize growers, traders, and packaging units about the risks of non-standard materials. These steps, though administrative in nature, carry profound implications for health and commerce alike.
Equally significant is the promotion of alternatives. Five-ply corrugated fibreboard boxes with food-grade linings, wooden crates with safe linings, and biodegradable cushioning materials are being encouraged. These options not only align with safety standards but also respond to environmental concerns. Sodium silicate may degrade quickly, but the broader challenge of sustainable packaging remains. Biodegradable solutions, if adopted widely, could reduce waste and reinforce Kashmir’s image as a producer of clean, safe, and environmentally responsible apples.
Support schemes under the UT CAPEX plan add another layer of help. By offering subsidies of up to 50 per cent on approved packaging materials, the government is easing the financial burden on farmers. For small orchard owners, who often struggle with rising costs of inputs and transport, such assistance can make the difference between compliance and compromise. Protocols, after all, are only as effective as their accessibility.
The apple industry in Kashmir has weathered many storms; climatic, economic, and infrastructural. Packaging may seem a minor concern compared to frost or floods, but in a competitive market where consumer confidence is paramount, it is decisive. A single lapse in safety can tarnish reputations built over generations. Conversely, adherence to standards can elevate the brand of Kashmiri apples, ensuring they command respect and premium value in national and international markets.
Farmers deserve clarity, support, and practical solutions. The government’s stance, balancing reassurance with regulation, is a step in the right direction. Yet, vigilance must remain constant. Protocols must be enforced uniformly, subsidies must reach those who need them most, and awareness must penetrate every orchard and packing shed.
Ultimately, the health of consumers and the health of the industry are intertwined. Safe packaging is not merely a technical matter; it is a promise to farmers that their hard work.