Efforts on to control adulteration in tea

A cup of chai from a tea shop on the roadside or a bus stand may not be healthy. Adulteration of tea, especially colour adulteration, is an issue that the Tea Board and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) are addressing through a series of measures.

Apart from taking action on those who make poor quality teas or mix adulterants, the Tea Board and the FSSAI are also creating awareness among the buyers on the quality of tea.

They conducted one such workshop here on Wednesday for tea auctioneers and small bakery owners.

According to R. Kadiravan, the designated officer of FSSAI here, owners of small bakeries and tea shops, especially those in rural areas and bus stands, need to know the adulteration problem.

To give strong colour, adulterated tea is used in many of these shops. Even if approved food colour is used, it can lead to health problems if consumed daily.

First, the tea buyers need to be educated on the problems of using adulterated tea. Then the officials will start taking action on those who continue to use the adulterated tea. They started with the manufacturers and are now working with the buyers.

R. Ambalavanan, Executive Director of the Tea Board, said that the aim of the workshop was to create awareness on the rules and regulations, the ill-effects of using adulterants, and the need to serve quality tea.

To give strong colour, adulterated tea is used in many shops. Even if approved food colour is used, it can lead to health problems if consumed daily.