As global consumers grow more conscious about plastic waste, the food industry is responding with innovative solutions like edible packaging a biodegradable, consumable alternative that blends sustainability with convenience.
For Indian pickles, which have long faced challenges with leakage, oil separation, and eco-packaging compatibility, edible packaging could be a revolutionary step. At Manjulam Impex, we’re exploring this idea not just as exporters, but as innovators in clean, responsible global food trade.
With export markets tightening their environmental regulations, brands are under pressure to reduce single-use plastics and improve eco-friendly credentials. Edible packaging made from seaweed, rice starch, or corn protein offers:
Zero waste: The wrapper itself is consumed or decomposes naturally.
No plastic leaching: Safer for oil-based foods like pickles.
Appeal to conscious buyers: Especially relevant for millennial and Gen Z consumers abroad.
Indian pickles are rich in oil, spice, and salt making traditional packaging (plastic or glass) either unsustainable or prone to leakage. Edible coating films, or oil-resistant edible sachets, could change this.
Benefits include:
Improved shelf life
Lower export weight
Unique branding opportunity as zero-waste pickles
Manjulam Impex is actively exploring how pickle exports can adopt this model for markets like the US, UK, Germany, and UAE.
Of course, edible packaging for pickles isn’t without hurdles:
Regulatory compliance for food contact and safety
Durability under export conditions (heat, humidity, air freight)
Consumer education: Buyers need to understand and accept edible wrappers
Cost factors: Innovation is more expensive at least initially
Still, for Indian exporters targeting premium food retail, the differentiation and eco-value may well outweigh the cost.
As a trusted B2B exporter of Indian traditional foods, Manjulam Impex is committed to advancing both quality and innovation. We’re working with suppliers and R&D partners to:
Experiment with plant-based films and wrappers
Pilot oil-tolerant, biodegradable sachets for small-batch pickles
Collaborate with overseas buyers to test packaging concepts in select markets
Indian food exports can no longer rely on traditional packaging alone. If India wants to lead in clean-label exports, edible packaging is a futuristic, yet highly relevant, opportunity especially for oil-rich categories like pickles.
At Manjulam Impex, we believe the future isn’t just about what’s in the jar but what the jar is made of.
