The RBO technology fully conforms to the international specifications as enforced by the International Jute Organisation (IJO) with regard to the chemicals and organoleptic criteria for food grade bags, sources said.The IJO has set a few mandatory standards to manufacture universally acceptable jute bags used for packaging food materials. It mentions that the ingredients of batching oils are non-toxic and approved for the use in packaging materials that are bound to make contact with sensitive food items. Hence, it says, batching oils shall not contain compounds that could compromise the flavour and taste of the packaged foods items.

At the same time it is also required by the IJO thatthe mills using the bags create a hydrocarbon free environment in the mills. This is only possible if the fibre and machine lubricants are also hydrocarbon free and under strict quality control measures, sources said. However, hydrocarbon free environment can only be possible if the product itself is insulated from any kind of contamination both while in transit and storage.

The IJIRA has also launched a license scheme wherein it becomes mandatory for a Indian jute mill to manufacture food grade jute bags using the association's approved rice bran oil, industry sources said. The global demand is estimated to be at 1 to 1.5 million bags a year and the Indian jute industry has already taken upgradation of techniques to meet this whopping demand. As many as 21 jute mills in and around the country have already adopted RBO technology and a host of others are in the process of following suit. IJIRA has also gone a step ahead and created a process capability certification to avoid hydrocarbon contamination. Withthis, IJIRA has said that assessment of mills' capability to offer a completely separated production line-from emulsification preparation to the final storage-would be enhanced. It has also made mandatory the documentation of machine demarcation for the process, assured supply of colour coded cans, spools and containers and other material handling systems. The association would also be undertaking training of the personnel from worker to manager level, apart from stressing on the infrastructural facilities which include separate market space for storage of yarns.