Kamal Ghorui
In India, tea or chai is not just a beverage, it is a ritual stitched into the rhythm of daily life. The soft clatter of cups, the rising swirl of steam, and the fragrance of leaves meeting water bring a different sense of calmness before the chaos rings in every morning. It’s in that moment—standing by the stove, watching the brew deepen—that conversations begin, worries loosen, and relationships are gently nurtured. But what if you learn that the first sip of the day is not a cup of comfort but a cup of toxic chemicals? Yes, you read it right. The recent report states that the Hyderabad Food Adulteration Surveillance Team (H-FAST) conducted raids across the city and seized 3,000 kg of adulterated tea powder and 1,500 kg of expired tea powder, among others, raising concerns once again over the adulteration of daily food items.
All about adulterated tea and synthetic colours being used
It is reported that the raids were conducted at 15 manufacturing units allegedly involved in making and supplying fake tea powder to roadside tea vendors and prominent restaurants selling tea. According to police officials ten arrests have been made so far, and artificial colours used for adulteration and about 100 kg of jaggery have also been seized. During the interrogation, manufacturers were found to have procured low-quality tea powder from vendors in Kolkata, Kerala and Assam, and adulterated it using synthetic food colours such as sunset yellow FCF, tartrazine, and total dye colour. The powder was then repackaged under different brand names and sold as genuine tea powder. A case has been registered under the Food Safety and Standards Act and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Adulterated tea seized in past
This is not a new issue highlighted by food officials. In October 2024, Telangana’s Commissioner of Food Safety along with the Central Zone Task Force of Hyderabad City Police, seized 300 kilograms of adulterated loose tea powder in Fateh Nagar, Hyderabad. During the interrogation, it was found that low-quality tea powder was mixed with coconut shell powder and toxic chemical essences. The proprietor of the establishment, Bishoya Jagannath, was operating a business under the name ‘Konark Tea Powder Sales & Suppliers’ in Fateh Nagar and had purchased low-quality tea powder from market suppliers at prices ranging from ₹80 to ₹100 per kilogram. To maximise profits, he mixed the tea powder with coconut shell powder, toxic chemical essences and artificial flavouring. The adulterated tea powder was then sold in the market for ₹200 to ₹250 per kilogram.
FSSAI’s tea adulteration tests
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has shared a few simple and easy purity tests that one can easily try at home. Take a look: Water Test: In this method, add a teaspoon of tea leaves to a glass of room-temperature water. If the tea is pure, the water’s colour will not change. If the tea leaves are adulterated, the colour will change to red.Filter paper test: Take a filter paper and spread tea leaves on it. Sprinkle water to wet the paper. Wash the filter paper under tap water. Observe the stains on the filter paper against light. No stains will be observed on the filter paper with unadulterated tea leaves. The filter paper with adulterated tea leaves will have a blackish-brown coloured stain on it.Colour test: Make tea and observe the color of the brewed tea. Authentic tea should produce a clear and vibrant colour, while adulterated tea will reflect cloudiness or an unnatural colour due to impurities.Solubility test: Add tea leaves to a glass of water. If it’s pure, the leaves will not dissolve completely, they may swell but should not disintegrate into powder. However, adulterated tea might turn into powder in water.
Side effects of drinking adulterated tea
As per reports, tea leaves go through 34 parameters, but market players still indulge in adulteration, and the use of these synthetic colours can cause serious health issues. Adulterated tea leaves are said to increase the risk of hypertension, liver and kidney issues. Adulterated tea might contain harmful levels of pesticides, herbicides, or other chemicals. Chronic exposure to these substances can lead to health issues such as cancer, hormonal imbalances, or neurological problems. Contamination with heavy metals like lead, arsenic, or cadmium can lead to serious health issues, including kidney damage, liver disease, and neurological disorders. Adulterated tea may contain substances not listed on the label, which can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. As per experts, symptoms can range from mild (such as rashes or itching) to severe (such as anaphylaxis).Images Courtesy: istock
