10 tea brands use colouring

Star: LABIS: Ten tea brands have been found to be using colouring in their tea powder.
The brands are Teh Wangi, Teh Cap Masjid, Serbuk Teh, 3 Bintang, Teh Campuran, Teh Cap Bunga, Teh Tarik (Burung Petalawati), Serbuk Teh Wawasan 2020, Serbuk Minuman (A1) and Bunga Mahkota, Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said.
He said that according to the Malaysian Tea Merchants Association, there were still many restaurants and stalls serving tea with colouring in them.
The excuse given was that the consumers themselves wanted such tea, he added.
Speaking to reporters after a get-together with villagers from Felda Chemplak in Segamat yesterday, Dr Chua said enforcement on the offenders was not easy as many of the manufacturers were using fake addresses.
Dr Chua said the information on tea colouring was obtained from 71 districts nationwide.
“From 2003 to 2005, there were 128 cases of manufacturers using tea colouring.
“Until now, 47 cases have been charged and sentenced, and a total of RM84,652 in fines have been collected,” he said.
He said under the Food Regulations Act 1985, it was an offence to add colouring to tea powder.
“If found guilty, the offender can be fined a maximum of RM20,000 or five years' imprisonment or both.”
The ministry hoped that tea manufacturers would stop using colouring.