A storm is brewing in the teacup. And it could impact consumption of tea in the country as well as in the export markets. Packet tea players have rejected a good volume of first flush teas they had bought from the auctions from April to middle of May for the domestic market on account of the chemical content not conforming to FSSAI standards.
Federation of All India Tea Traders Association (FAITTA), the apex trade body of the packet tea players which includes Tata Global Beverages, HUL NSE -1.47 % and others, tested teas at an independent firm, Eurofins Analytical Services India. Eurofins has indicated that the chemical content is higher than the maximum residue levels (MRLs) and does not conform to the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India standard.
These teas, which have failed the test, will now be destroyed but the trade fears that if the message goes out to the global markets then it will impact India's tea exports at a time when second flush teas are coming to the market and is a major export revenue earner for the trade.
"Most of the buyers have inhouse test laboratories which are however, not NABL accredited. So we have tested the teas through an independent agency. The test results show that some chemicals have gone beyond the prescribed limit. We have also informed the Tea Board. We are not going to buy teas that do not conform to the FSSAI standard," said Viren Shah, chairman, FAITTA.
Source Name:-Economic Times