An opportunity for Indian tea makers to boost exports has come as a hindrance due to decline in yield by crisis-hit Sri Lanka, with consignments being rejected due to the presence of pesticides and chemicals beyond acceptable limits. However, tea growers say that the maximum residue level (MRL) of chemicals in tea should be maintained at the current level and in some cases it should be increased.
Traders have rejected several consignments of tea from April to mid-May as the MRL in them was found to be higher than the limit set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) when tested at an independent laboratory.
All tea sold in the country must conform to the norms of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). However, most buyers are buying tea that has an unusually high chemical content.
India exported 195.90 million kg of tea in 2021. The major buyers were the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) nations and Iran. The board aims to achieve the target of 30 crore kg tea this year. Many countries are following strict entry rules for tea. Most countries follow variations of the EU standards, which are more stringent than the FSSAI regulations.
“Instead of following the law, many people are urging the government to further liberalize the FSSAI norms,” he said, adding that it would give a wrong signal as the drink is considered a health drink.
A senior official of the Tea Board told PTI that complaints have been received from tea packers and exporters on the issue.
“It is reiterated that the producers should strictly adhere to the extant FSSAI norms. The issue of revision of norms has been taken up with the FSSAI by the producers’ associations. It is clear that the exports have to comply with the existing norms of the importing countries. should.” They said.
price of tea exported by india 5,246.89 crore in 2021.
(with agency input)