Special Correspondent

Panaji, May 14: Goa Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has said that the  chemical tests on the huge quantity of tea bags manufactured in Kolkata and Assam firms have confirmed that the `adulterated tea power was being pushed into Goa market.’

The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) authorities today confirmed that the tests conducted on the suspicious tea powder confiscated from a wholesaler in the state have proved that the substance was
`coloured.’

“The Oil soluble colour was found in the tea powder which means it was adulterated,” Assistant drug controller R Y Arlekar said. He said that the samples were tested at their labouratory by the experts.

The FDA officials said that adding colour is banned under Food Adulteration Act, 1964 and rules therein.

Arlekar said that the department will now prosecute, the wholesaler and possibly, the companies which manufacture this tea powder, in the court.

In a raid conducted on May 3, 580 bags of five kilograms each from Kolkata-based Ruby brand and Assam-based Sona brand tea powder were confiscated from a storage facility in Usgao village.

The godown belonged to a Karnataka based businessman, who was allegedly bringing in tea powder with names of bogus agents in the state.

FDA officials said that 18 bags of Ruby brand and 520 bags of Sona brand amounting to Rs 3,76,600 were confiscated.