(a) whether the Government are aware that poor quality tea is being exported from the country by way of re-export of imported tea;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government in the matter ?
(a) whether the Government are aware that poor quality tea is being exported from the country by way of re-export of imported tea;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government in the matter ?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI OMAR ABDULLAH )
(a) to (c): Import of any food item including tea is subject to provision of Section 5 of Prevention of Food Adulteration Act which stipulates that no person shall import into India
(i) any adulterated food;
(ii) any misbranded food
(iii) any article of food for the import of which a license is prescribed, except in accordance with the conditions of the licence; and
(iv) any article of food in contravention of any other provision of the said act or rule made thereunder.
Item A.14 of Appendix B attached to Prevention of Food Adulteration Rule 1955 indicates specifications for Tea. These specifications are more or less similar to the specifications envisaged under ISO 3720 Standards which have been adapted for export of tea. Since quality of tea import is subject to the standards laid down under Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, there is no scope of re-export of imported poor quality tea from India.