Tea Testing Service

Tea, one of the most consumed beverages worldwide, comes in various forms including black, green, and herbal teas. Each type of tea has distinct flavours, aromas, and health benefits, but they can also contain contaminants that pose health risks. In India, tea quality and safety are regulated to ensure that they meet both national and international standards. Organizations like the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the Tea Board of India play significant roles in oversight, while standards such as ISO and Codex Alimentarius are also pertinent.

Tea Testing Services by Eurofins

Eurofins provides comprehensive testing services to ensure tea quality, regulatory compliance, and safety, using advanced analytical methods and state-of-the-art laboratory facilities.

1. Chemical & Toxicological Analysis

Tea leaves can accumulate a variety of harmful chemicals depending on how they are grown, processed, and stored.

Key Testing Parameters:

• Pesticide Residue Testing: Analysis of pesticide levels to ensure they are within safe, legal limits.
• Heavy Metals: Testing for lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury, which are toxic to human health.
• Mycotoxins: Detection of toxins produced by fungi, such as aflatoxins, which are common in improperly stored agricultural products.

2. Caffeine Content Analysis

• Caffeine levels in tea vary widely depending on the type and brewing method. Accurate quantification is essential for labelling and consumer information.

3. Antioxidants and Polyphenols Content

• Tea is rich in antioxidants, including polyphenols, which are believed to offer various health benefits. Quantitative analysis helps in assessing the quality and health claims of tea products.

4. Microbiological Testing

Ensuring the microbial safety of tea is crucial, especially to prevent foodborne illnesses.

Key Testing Parameters:

• Pathogen Testing: Detection of Salmonella, E. coli, and other harmful bacteria.
• Total Plate Count: Assesses the overall cleanliness and quality of the tea.

5. Sensory Evaluation

• Sensory testing assesses the taste, aroma, colour, and appearance of tea, which are critical for consumer satisfaction.

6. Standards and regulations

FSSAI Tea Standards Overview

General Tea Specifications:

• Types: Includes all forms except Kangra tea, derived solely from parts of the Camellia sinensis.
• Quality: Must be free from off odours, taints, mustiness, insects, moulds, rodent contamination, and harmful substances.
• Additives: Can include "natural flavours" and "natural flavouring substances" but no added colours.
• Labelling: Must follow FSSAI regulations, especially if flavoured; flavoured tea must display the Tea Board registration number.
• Pectinase Use: Up to 0.2% as a processing aid.

Specific Requirements:

• Total Ash:0-8.0% on a dry basis.
• Water-Soluble Ash: At least 45.0% of total ash.
• Alkalinity of Water-Soluble Ash:0-3.0% expressed as KOH.
• Acid-Insoluble Ash: No more than 1.0%.
• Water Extract: Not less than 32.0%.
• Crude Fibre: No more than 16.5%.
• Iron Filing: Not more than 250 mg/kg.

Kangra Tea:

• Grown specifically in Himachal Pradesh, has unique ash content and extraction requirements to meet specific quality standards.

Green Tea:

• Derived through processes like enzyme inactivation, rolling, and drying.
• Must meet similar standards to other teas, with the addition of specific catechin content ranging from 9.0-19.0%.

Instant Tea:

• Derived from aqueous extraction of Camellia sinensis.
• Needs to conform to moisture and ash standards, with distinctive requirements for soluble and insoluble ash.

Regulatory Compliance:

• Flavoured tea manufacturers must register with the Tea Board before marketing their products.
• Tea for use in flavoured tea must meet general tea standards.

European union

This regulation sets maximum residue levels (MRLs) for pesticides in or on food and feed of plant and animal origin, including tea. It has been amended several times, including by Regulation (EU) 2023/377, which lowered the MRL for nicotine in teas to 0.5 mg/kg

7. Advanced Analytical Techniques

Eurofins employs the latest technology for precise testing of tea products.

• Chromatography (HPLC, GC-MS): For detailed chemical profiling of tea components.
• ICP-MS: For accurate detection of trace metals.
• FTIR Spectroscopy: For identifying organic compounds in tea.

8. Consultation & Quality Assurance Services

Eurofins offers consultation services to help manufacturers meet regulatory requirements and improve product quality.

• Regulatory Compliance Guidance: Assistance with national and international regulations.
• Product Development Support: Optimizing tea blends for quality and compliance.

Risk Assessment & Toxicological Evaluation: Assessing potential health risks associated with tea products.