FSSAI License

Everything you need to know about License for Tea Business in India

calendar21 Nov, 2020
timeReading Time: 4 Minutes
License for Tea Business in India

India is a leader in the manufacturing of Tea Business around the world because of its favorable environment and plentiful supply of labor. The FSSAI has released some guidelines that specify the rules and regulations that govern the Tea Business in India. In this article, we will discuss how to obtain License for Tea Business in India, and the FSSAI guidelines.

Requirement for FSSAI License to start a Tea Business in India

In the recent time, the consumer has become well aware of what they consume. They ensure that they purchase a product that is free from contamination & adulteration of any kind. Nowadays, customers are aware of food safety compliances and prefer to procure a product that is permitted by the FSSAI Department.

Tea is a blend that is broadly sold all over the country by various manufacturers under different brand names with different brand value. Food License is necessary for all type of tea business in India whether wholesale, retailing or Import & Export.

Tea used in the development of the flavored tea should be conventional to the principles of tea. Furthermore, the tea includes added flavor and it needs to bear a proper declaration in the form of label as provided in the regulation. Registration with the Tea Board before marketing flavored tea is essential.

Read our article:What are the Responsibilities of Food Business Operators in India?

Regulation that Governs Tea Business in India

Regulations that governs Tea Business in India are as follows-

Regulation 7.3.11 – Restriction on sale of the Kangra Tea

Kangra tea should be offered for sale after it is patented and graded according to the provisions mentioned in the Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1937 and other regulations made under this Act.

Regulation 7.3.12- Circumstance for sale of Flavored Tea

Flavored tea should be sold or offered for sale only by the manufacturers that are registered under the Tea Board. On the packaging label, the registration number should be declared. Flavored Tea should be sold in packed setting with a label statement as mentioned in the policy.

The tea producer should make sure that the tea is packed and labeled according to the FSSAI regulations. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India are now very strict on the authoritarian norms linked with the labelling requirements of the food products. Consequently, the manufacturer has to be very careful and make sure that all necessities should be satisfied or else they will be liable for penalties stated under the Food Safety and Standard (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011.

Labelling Requirement under FSSAI

Before Applying for FSSAI License, it is obligatory to pursue the product labelling requirement as approved by the FSSAI department and the label should have all the relevant and significant information before it is prepared to be put up for sale in the market.

The package should carry a label that has the following information mentioned below:

Labelling Requirement under FSSAI

The content in the label has to be clear, well-known, and effortlessly readable by the customers. The label of the product should not include or depict any content that is false or misleading or likely to cause flawed impression to its character.

Approval Norms & Testing of Products for Tea Business in India

There are various food safety limitations that need to be examined before the food product is commenced in the market. The food products are required to be tested in the NABL labs to ensure that the food product is according to the regulations as well as quality compliance stated by the department. Product approval is very important for tea manufacturers before selling it to the general public. There are several rules and regulations stated under the FSSAI regulation that continues to get updated time to time. Hence, for the manufacturers, it might become difficult to understand the process for the FSSAI Product approval and FSSAI registration.

Essential Regulations for Tea Business Applicant

  • FSSAI has barred the use of any coloring substance in manufacturing of tea;
  • FSSAI has allowed the use of 0.2% pectinase enzyme for development of flavoring distinctiveness in tea;
  • The use of natural flavors & related substances is permitted in tea;
  • Every tea business owner should acquire a FSSAI license

What are the Varieties of Tea According to the FSSAI Regulations?

As per regulations of FSSAI, tea comes under the group of beverages and is classified mainly into three subtypes-

  • Tea – Any tea made from the tender stems, leaves and buds of the plant Camellia sinensis. This type comprises all the range of Black & Oolong tea.
  • Kangra Tea – Special tea that is made from the stems, buds or leaves of the Camellia sinensis which grows in the Kangra and Mandi valleys in India. Located in the foothills of Himachal Pradesh[1], these are a delicate tea that has a unique flavour.
  • Green Tea – Tea derived from process such as drying, rolling and inactivation of the leaves or buds of specific species of the Camellia Sinensis.

All teas should have a featured flavour and should not have any foul smell, contaminated, or staleness in it. Also, the product should be free from irrelevant substance, such as food colouring and any other chemicals. The flavorings agents permissible are natural ones that are derived from plants that are safe for human consumption.

In case the manufacturer has added flavours then they are required to mention the same noticeably through labels and declarations according to the rules. Furthermore before marketing of flavored tea, the manufacturers are required to register with the Indian Tea Board.

Conclusion

Tea business in India is successful with the increase in number of tea lovers in India. Though, in order to maintain one’s business, complying with FSSAI regulations is a requirement. FSSAI license is an essential requirement for every tea business operators in India for Manufacturing, Repacking, Trading, Retailing, Distribution, Wholesaling and Supplying Tea. One must have a valid FSSAI Registration that depends upon the nature and size of the Tea business.

Read our article:Know About FSSAI Registration in India for Operating Food Business

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