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UPASI calls for action against tea adulteration

G.K. Nair

KOCHI, July 11

THE United Planters Association of South India (UPASI) has urged the Governments of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to initiate stringent action against those engaged in adulteration of tea.

Adulteration was rampant in the tea-growing States in south India and the Kerala Government had taken the lead by unearthing an unit in Kanjikode area in Palakkad district recently. ``Other States too should take similar action,'' Mr N. Dharmaraj, Chairm an, UPASI Tea Committee, told Business Line on Wednesday.

According to unofficial reports 20 million kg of adulterated tea had been marketed so far, leading to suppression of prices apart from damaging the image of the industry. This could also create serious health problems among the consumers.

The adulterators used specific synthetic colours which were soluble even in cold water, besides blending the inferior quality tea with some tea aroma, Mr Dharmaraj said. Then the product was sold at higher prices. But its impact on the consumer and the industry was going to be dangerous in the long run, he warned.

According to industry sources, there were units operating in South India, which used to bring poor quality tea in bulk and then blended and coloured and packaged in different brands and sold in the markets through retail outlets. ``Even it was being sold under major brand names''. The retailers were pushing the seconds (adulterated) ahead as it fetched him huge margins, said an official. The situation was so grim that major tea producers should do something to ensure the genuineness of their product, he added.