Tea is manufactured entirely from natural tea leaves, and is therefore considered a health drink.
At no stage in the proper tea-making process are other substances or ingredients added. Tea bushes are given a boost in the form of foliar spray, but only chemical-free leaves are picked. Tea bushes treated with foliar spray are given a rest before leaves are picked, ensuring there are no chemical particles left in the leaf collected to produce tea. These procedures are followed by all good tea manufacturers.
However, not all regional plantation companies follow these procedures.
During a surprise check by the Tea Board at a leading tea manufacturer’s factory in the hills, Tea Board officers found that certain chemicals were being added to the leaf in the rolling stage.
The management said the chemicals were being added to enhance the quality of the tea. This was a gross violation of provisions in the Tea Control Act. Such practices do great harm to the reputation of Ceylon Tea.
One cannot rule out the possibility that this was a deliberate act of sabotage by certain interested parties to have Sri Lanka blacklisted in the international tea market.
We are all aware that there is a malicious network of local and international agencies working to cripple the Sri Lanka economy. The company that uses chemicals in tea production could be one link in the chain.
We have heard of papaw seeds being passed off for pepper seeds and plaster of Paris being used as an ingredient in the making of hoppers.
While the Sri Lankan consumers may swallow these products without a hum, the international community may not be that gullible. It is time the government took a tough stand and punished those who are trying to sabotage our tea industry. |
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