KOLKATA: The Tea Board has decided to swing into action against coloured teas in the south. These teas are mostly sold in the road-side tea shops and also by grocers and may result in lead poisoning.

The Tea Board, after holding discussions with the various associations in this regard, has now decided to swing into action at the field and the factory level against all those who either stock or sell such tea and destroy such tea. Tea Board executive director, South India, R. D. Nazeem, told The Hindu: "Beginning from Tamil Nadu on April 22, action will be taken under the Tea Waste Control Order, which empowers us to seize and destroy such teas without waiting for any judicial order". Penal action leading to fine and jail will be initiated simultaneously.

Such action is planned in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh too where the problem of coloured teas is rampant. The action would be preceded by a meeting with the packeters and traders association. "The Tea Board has complete district-wise information on adulterers of tea in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh", Mr. Nazeem said.

Explaining the problem which is restricted to loose (as distinct from branded) teas, he said it had its genesis in the southern preference for drinking as tea only a dark red liquid. This has also being argued by dealers who say that this paved the way for the adulteration. Besides finding a ready market, the colouring also helps save the tea sellers on the amount of tea leaves used.

The Tea Board ED said that while natural flavours like cardamom, ginger tulsi and mint are allowed to be added to tea, under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act not even permitted food grade colours like those allowed in ice cream, jam and jelly are allowed in tea as the lead content in these colours used in a frequently consumed drink poses serious health hazards. While under the PFA Act health food inspectors have the power to seize such teas and register a case, the long-drawn judicial process has encouraged such illegal practice to thrive. Since all artificially coloured teas would technically fail the definition of tea, the Tea Board can take action under the Tea Waste Control Order under the 1953 Tea Act. The joint action by Tea Board and the State machinery would be followed up with interactions with consumer groups to raise awareness on drinking anything that is dark brown as tea.

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