GUWAHATI, Nov 30 � The Tea Board of India has taken firm steps to protect and enhance the image of Indian tea all over the globe. It is going to ensure it that tea only with the tagline �Indian Tea� is exported. �This comes on the backdrop of various quality issues that have cropped up in recent years,� said the Tea Board on its website.
Because of its above stand, ��no teas can either be exported from or imported into India, without conforming to Food Safety and Standards Authority of India's (FSSAI) parameters and teas would be subjected to random testing� with effect from February 1, 2013, said the Board.
Meanwhile, the Tea Board of India has established one Tea Council of North India and the other for South India, under its direction, to put in place an online mandatory mechanism to track all exports and imports of tea and ensure that quality norms are enforced.
The mechanism, being designed by NSE-IT will be hassle free and paperless. Details would be posted on the website of the Tea Board from 01.1.2013.
Chairman of the Assam Tea Planters� Association Rajib Barooah welcomed the Tea Board move. Talking to this newspaper, Barooah said, �This move will help improving the image of Indian tea all over the globe.�
It needs mention here that the FSSAI is established under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 which consolidates various acts and orders that have hitherto handled food related issues in various Ministries and Departments. FSSAI has been created for laying down science based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India is the Administrative Ministry for the implementation of FSSAI.
