In the lush tea gardens of Assam, a pivotal gathering convened by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) brought together a consortium of tea stakeholders, setting the stage for concerted efforts to enhance safety standards within the industry. Led by FSSAI CEO G Kamala Vardhana Rao, the interactive session held in Kellyden garnered active participation from an array of key stakeholders.
Representatives from FSSAI, the Tea Board, Tea Research Institute, tea planters, processors, industry associations, and the Food and Drug Department of the state converged, united by a shared goal of elevating traceability and testing measures for raw materials
The heart of the discussions revolved around fortifying protocols for pesticide residues, with a keen emphasis on adherence to Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) as prescribed in the Food Safety and Standards Regulations of 2011 (FSSR). Rao underscored the imperative of adopting bio-pesticides and advocated for closer collaboration with the Tea Board to streamline joint inspection, sampling, and testing processes.
Throughout the session, stakeholders delved into various stages of tea cultivation, processing, and distribution, each lending their expertise to address pressing concerns. The Tea Board emphasised the significance of awareness campaigns to educate planters on maintaining a harvesting gap, ensuring safe agricultural practices. Planters voiced apprehensions regarding the use of unauthorised pesticides and called upon the state government to enforce a ban on such substances. Processors advocated for the provision of rapid testing kits at the farm gate level, a move aimed at expediting pesticide testing and bolstering overall efficiency.
Scientific panel members engaged in meticulous deliberations, scrutinising specific pesticides, monitoring procedures, and strategies to prevent off-label use. Recognising the pivotal role of robust infrastructure, FSSAI committed financial assistance to Assam for the upgrading of laboratories dedicated to pesticide testing. The imperative for regular interaction among stakeholders and the formulation of a time-bound action plan to ensure the availability of safe tea to consumers emerged as recurring themes throughout the meeting.
Distinguished speakers, including Amardeep Singh Bhatia and Saurav Pahari from the Tea Board, and Inoshi Sharma from FSSAI, underscored the importance of collaborative efforts in safeguarding consumer health and fostering industry sustainability. Their insights underscored a collective commitment to navigating the complexities of tea production while prioritising safety and quality
Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Chairman of the Tea Board, commended the collaborative efforts, stating, ‘Ensuring safe tea production requires coordinated actions from all stakeholders. This initiative highlights the industry’s commitment to consumer health and sustainable practices.’
As the session concluded, it became evident that the gathering had not only facilitated meaningful dialogue but also paved the way for actionable solutions to address the challenges confronting the tea industry. Through collaboration, innovation, and a shared dedication to excellence, stakeholders affirmed their resolve to uphold the highest standards of safety and quality, ensuring that each cup of tea brewed in Assam carries with it the promise of purity and goodness. For more FSSAI registration related queries get in touch with our compliance experts.
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