Key Update

More than 50% of Nepal tea samples tested in India failed to meet FSSAI food safety standards, according to filings submitted to the Calcutta High Court. The Tea Board, which regulates India’s tea industry, told the court that 22 of the 43 samples collected in FY25 failed mandatory checks. Authorities also destroyed 27,570 kg of substandard tea, though this amount is minimal compared to the 15.95 million kg imported from Nepal during the year.

Nepal’s orthodox tea directly competes with Darjeeling tea, while its CTC variety rivals teas produced in the Dooars and Terai. Indian producers argue that cheaper Nepal tea drives down domestic prices and claim that traders often blend Nepal tea with GI-protected Darjeeling tea, undermining both quality and authenticity.

Monitoring Gaps and Enforcement Challenges

To regulate quality, India allows Nepal tea imports through only three land ports—Jogbani, Raxaul and Panitanki. In a 2023 meeting, FSSAI, Customs and the Tea Board agreed that Customs would conduct 100% testing of Nepal tea consignments and share the results monthly.

However, court documents show that Customs has not consistently conducted full testing or shared all reports. FSSAI officials said they receive lab results from Panitanki but need clarity on whether all required parameters are tested as per protocol. A senior Customs officer stated that officials follow all legal procedures and clear only samples that pass. He added that any adulteration after clearance falls outside Customs’ jurisdiction. Panitanki, which handles 92% of Nepal tea imports, reported no test failures between FY22–24. Jogbani recorded only three failures.

Industry Seeks Stricter Oversight

Industry members argue that adulteration likely occurs inside India, where the Tea Board draws samples. They also criticised the low number of samples tested. Darjeeling tea producer Sanjay Choudhary questioned why the Board tested only 43 samples despite annual imports of nearly 16 million kg. CISTA (Confederation of Indian Small Tea Growers Associations) president Bijoy Gopal Chakraborty said Nepal CTC tea floods markets like Siliguri, pushing down prices for small growers. He called for full testing under FSSAI parameters and the introduction of import duties.

Source: The Telegraph