India tea companies go green on pesticides fears

Greenpeace India's report on pesticides in Indian tea has prompted leading companies including Tata Global Beverages, Hindustan Unilever, Wagh Bakri Tea and Goodricke Group to take steps to allay fears about the beverage in the domestic market and overseas. 

 

Tata Global Beverages said its tea is safe and meets standards set by its overseas buyers. The company has roped in group companies Tata Chemicals and Rallis India to find natural methods and resources that will cut or replace chemicals used to control pests in tea estates that belong to two associate companies - Amalgamated Plantations in Assam and Kanan Devan Hills Plantations Company in Kerala's Idukki district. 

 

"We would like to reassure consumers that Tata Global Beverages tea brands are safe to consume and fully compliant with food safety norms set by the countries in which our tea is sold," Tata Global Beverages said in a statement. 

 

"In addition to our internal quality checks, the safety of our tea brands has also been assessed by external institutes. We are committed to sustainable tea production and consumption."