FSSAI Extends Timeline for stapled tea bags business

FSSAI Extends Timeline for stapled tea bags business

Do you know that stapled pins on your tea bags can be unfit for consumption? Obtrusively, most of the tea bags have stapler pins which might turn out to be harmful for consumers.

In the wake of a previous order issued by FSSAI on 18 July 2017, the FBOs(Food Business Operators) were exhorted to discontinue the manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import of stapled tea bags by January 2018. Later, for the convenience of FBOs the implementation was further extended up to 30 June 2019 as per the FSSAI letter dated 15 November 2017.

In the sequel, due to covid-19 pandemic, lockdown and restrictions, FSSAI considered the requests for extension of timeline to manufacture tea bags with staple pins only on case-to-case basis up to 31 December 2021 with a condition that such tea bags can be sold in the domestic market up to 31 December 2023  in following conditions only;

1. Submission of a roadmap for complete change over to staple-less tea bags latest by 31 December, 2021, to FSSAI office (compliance).
2. Submission of purchase orders to this office for the replacement machinery at the beginning of the financial year.
3.  Submission of quarterly compliance report to this office on implementation of replacement plan and production details.

To reckon,FBOs approached the FSSAI with the request to consider the extension of the timeline to manufacture tea bags with staple pins, albeit out of 26 FBOs, only 18 have so far submitted the complete roadmap. Accordingly, extensions were granted to them.

The FSSAI has loosened the grip by considering the new requests from Industry Associations/ Food Business Operators for another extension of timeline.

It has further decided that out of the 26 FBOs, 18 FBOs listed in Annexure 1, who have submitted the complete change over roadmap, are allowed to manufacture stapled tea bags up to 31 December, 22. However, there is no laxity in sale of stapled tea bags in domestic markets, i.e FBOs have to adhere to the deadline given for sale of stapled tea bags in the domestic market i.e., 31 December 2023.

Notably, the list of 8 remaining FBOs, who have not submitted the complete switchover roadmap is provided in Annexure-II.

The FBOs will have to submit a complete change over the roadmap within 30 days from the date of issuance of this order until 31 December 2022.

Besides, the other terms and conditions related to extension of time line for FBOs will remain the same.

The FSSAI has requested the Commissioners of Food Safety of States/ UTs and all Central Licensing Authorities to ensure strict compliance of this order.

Annexure – 1

List of 18 FBOs who have submitted their complete roadmap

1. M/s Hindustan Unilever Ltd
2. M/s Matheson Bosanquet Enterprises Pvt Ltd
3. M/s Tata Global Beverages Limited
4. M/s Madhu Jayanti International Pvt Ltd
5. M/s Vedika Exports (Tea) Pvt Ltd
6. M/s Mohani Tea Leaves Private Limited
7. M/s Jay Shree Tea & Industries Limited
8. M/s Gujarat Tea Processors & Packers Ltd
9. M/s A.V. Thomas & Company Ltd
10. M/s A. J Tea House Pvt Ltd
11. M/s Girnar Food & Beverages Pvt Ltd
12. M/s Sacks Bee
13. M/s Hindustan Unilever Ltd
14. M/s Matheson Bosanquet Enterprises Pvt Ltd
15. M/s Tata Global Beverages Limited
16. M/s Madhu Jayanti International Pvt Ltd
17. M/s Vedika Exports (Tea) Pvt Ltd
18. M/s Mohani Tea Leaves Private Limited
19. M/s Jay Shree Tea & Industries Limited
20. M/s Gujarat Tea Processors & Packers Ltd
21. M/s A.V. Thomas & Company Ltd
22. M/s A. J Tea House Pvt Ltd
23. M/s Girnar Food & Beverages Pvt Ltd
24. M/s Sacks Bee
25. M/s Veerprabhu Overseas Limited
26. M/s JFK International Ltd
27. 15. M/s Codeprint Private Limited
28. M/s Fresh & Honest Café Ltd.
29. M/s Jivraj Tea Limited
30. M/s Appejay Tea Limited.
31. M/s Hindustan Unilever Ltd
32. M/s Matheson Bosanquet Enterprises Pvt Ltd
33. M/s Tata Global Beverages Limited
34. M/s Madhu Jayanti International Pvt Ltd
35. M/s Vedika Exports (Tea) Pvt Ltd
36. M/s Mohani Tea Leaves Private Limited
37. M/s Jay Shree Tea & Industries Limited
38. M/s Gujarat Tea Processors & Packers Ltd
39. M/s A.V. Thomas & Company Ltd
40. M/s A. J Tea House Pvt Ltd
41. M/s Girnar Food & Beverages Pvt Ltd
42. M/s Sacks Bee
43. M/s Veerprabhu Overseas Limited
44. M/s JFK International Ltd
45. 15. M/s Codeprint Private Limited
46. M/s Fresh & Honest Café Ltd.
47. M/s Jivraj Tea Limited
48. M/s Appejay Tea Limited.

Annexure – II

List of 8 FBOs who have not submitted their complete roadmap

1. M/s Coffee Day Global Limited,
2. M/s Crystal Tea (India) Private Ltd,
3. M/s Twinings Private Limited.
4. M/s Blue Orchard Inc.,
5. M/s D.C. Johar & Sons (P) Ltd.,
6. M/s Dev Agri Farms Pvt. Ltd
7. M/s Chaizup Beverages LLP
8. M/s A Tosh & Sons (India) Limited

SOURCE: FSSAI