TRICHY: Despite repeated seizure of adulterated tea in the city, the harmful powders continue to thrive in shops that are situated on the border villages of the district. On Friday, officials of the food safety wing seized 200kg of adulterated tea powder from two tea shops in Lalgudi Bus Stand and Pullambadi Bus Stand. However, the manufacturers of such adulterated tea powder still elude the officials.
"During our visit to those areas, we checked the tea powders delivered by an unidentified person in both the areas. The tea powder was of inferior quality. The spot test confirmed adulteration in the tea powder. However, we are yet to get the results from the lab to confirm whether colouring agent mixed in the powder is harmful. If it is found harmful, the shop owners will be prosecuted," Dr A Ramakrishnan, designated officer (DO) told TOI.
Officials said the total seizure of adulterated tea powder in the city was around 500kg this year on a rough estimate.
"Today's (Friday) was the major catch of this year. Normally, we seize tea powders in small quantity from tea shops. The shop owners are not aware of the key persons behind the manufacturing of the adulterated tea powders. In today's (Friday) case also, we got a mobile number of the supplier but it remained switched off," said the DO.
Going by the previous seizures, the adulterated tea powders were made of used tea powders and colouring agents.
The manufacturers of adulterated tea powders mainly target rural areas of the district to avoid getting caught by the officers. Moreover, rural people are not aware of the consequences of consuming adulterated tea. Officials caution that continuous consumption of tea made of adulterated tea may lead to cancer.
"The adulterated tea powder has carcinogenic agent which can cause cancer. So, the consumers should be cautious about the colour of the tea. It is advisable to avoid tea in dark colour," said Dr Ramakrishnan.
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