In the southern regions and Maharashtra, coloured teas or teas combined with colours to give them a rich golden hue are becoming a concern. The Federation of All India Traders Association (FAITTA), which includes representatives from some of the country’s leading packet tea companies like Tata Global Beverages, HUL, and Wagh Bakri, has raised the issue with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) so that coloured tea sales can be monitored and consumers are not duped.
“Colored teas have recently become a major issue in South India and Maharashtra. Overall, the situation in Gujarat has improved. “There may be a few isolated cases, but it isn’t as widespread as it is in South India and Maharashtra,” FAITTA chairman Viren Shah stated. “We’ve brought it up with the FSSAI and the Tea Board.” The only way to address this issue is to pursue legal action against unethical traders and stores.”
“The product shall be free from extraneous matter, added colouring matter, and hazardous ingredients,” according to the FSSAI’s tea regulation.
There are several harmless colours that are allowed to be used in a variety of food products, including sweets and fruit juice. The FSSAI allows the use of eight synthetic colours in particular foods, but tea is not one of them.
“There is no such provision for the use of colour in tea,” a top Tea Board of India executive said, declining to be identified. “The Tea Board strongly urges adhering to the FSSAI recommendations for avoiding putting any colour in tea, since this poses a risk to food safety, human health, the tea trade, and quality.” Legal action may be taken if the guidelines are broken.”
“Selling coloured teas has become rampant in South India in particular,” said Parag Desai, executive director of Wagh Bakri. We’ve approached the FAITTA and the Tea Board about the situation. Consumers are being sold teas that are harmful to their health at retail stores. Planters are also displeased.”
According to the FAITTA chairman, there is a means to identify coloured tea. When good grade tea is mixed with cold water, the colour of the tea does not dissipate. Only when the colour is introduced to hot water will it disperse.
Colored teas, on the other hand, will spread an orange red tint when added to cold water. Executives from the Tea Board said they are launching an education campaign about coloured teas so that consumers aren’t taken for a ride.