Tea Companies Refuse to Take Orders on High Chemical Content

In the teacup, a storm is brewing. It may also have an impact on tea consumption in the country as well as in export markets. Packet tea players rejected a large volume of first flush teas purchased at auctions from April to the middle of May for the domestic market due to chemical content that did not meet FSSAI standards.

The teas were tested at an independent firm, Eurofins Analytical Services India, by the Federation of All India Tea Traders Association (FAITTA), the apex trade body of the packet tea players, which includes Tata Global Beverages, HUL, and others.

According to Eurofins, the chemical content exceeds the maximum residue levels (MRLs) and does not meet the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India standard.

These teas that failed the test will now be destroyed, but the trade is concerned that if the message reaches global markets, it will have an impact on India's tea exports at a time when second flush teas are entering the market and are a major export revenue earner for the trade.

"The majority of buyers have in-house testing laboratories that are not NABL accredited. So we put the teas through an independent testing agency. The results of the tests show that some chemicals have exceeded the prescribed limit. We've also notified the Tea Board. We will not purchase tea that does not meet the FSSAI standard," said FAITTA chairman Viren Shah.

About FAITTA:

FAITTA is an acronym that stands for Federation of All India Tea Traders Association. The Federation Of All India Tea Traders Association is a Private company that was founded on August 1, 2014. It is a non-government company that is registered with the Registrar of Companies in Kolkata. It has a paid-up capital of Rs. 0 and authorized share capital of Rs. 0. It is involved in various business activities.

The Federation Of All India Tea Traders Association's Annual General Meeting (AGM) was last held on 30 December 2020, and its balance sheet was last filed on 31 March 2020, according to Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) records.