Webinar on “Safe-Tea”

Mornings in most Indian homes begin with a cup of freshly brewed tea. Long conversations, heated arguments, debates and even gossips are incomplete without that cup of tea.  The popularity of tea is such that in India, now one can find various types of tea – masala chai, cutting chai, gur chai,elaichi chai, adrak chai, green tea, black tea and the list is endless. Tea consumption which  originated in ancient China and reached the European continent in the 16th century, in India, its cultivation began in Assam in the 19th century.

Tea has several health benefits besides being a sign of Indian culture. Tea is believed to boost immunity, improve digestion and also helps in elimination of toxins from the body. White tea also helps in lowering cholesterol level and regulating blood pressure. A blend of effective herbs in tea quiets helps in relaxing the mind and body. When it comes to health benefits, it is very important to know what exactly you are consuming.

Safe Tea Webinar – Summary

The webinar marking the World Consumer Rights Day on 15th March was addressed by Mr. Viren Shah, Chairman, FAITTA (Federation of All India Tea Traders Association), Mr. Pramod Kumar Sahoo, Deputy Chairman & CEO, Tea Board of India and Dr. Harinder Singh Oberoi, Advisor (QA) FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India). The Panellists covering technical aspects  were Mr. Sandip Sanyal Principal Scientist, Tea Research Association (TRA), Mr. Prashant Bhansali, President, UPASI (United Planters’ Association of Southern India), Mr. Paras Desai, ED Wagh Bakri Tea Group, Mr. Ashim Sanyal COO Consumer-Voice and Dr. Sanu Jacob, Director, FSSAI. 

Some of the key takeaways from the webinar

• Tea remains the most penetrated beverage in Indian households and is India’s No.1 ‘common persons’ drink. Tea is perceived as a natural drink with proven health benefits Therefore consumer health and safety aspects of Tea must be fully ensured.
• Colour addition in Tea poses the biggest challenge. This is prohibited under the FSSAI Regulations and therefore should be treated as a significant adulterant. Colour addition detracts the natural health properties of Tea and adversely impacts the interest of both the consumer and genuine trade.
  Colour addition can occur at the primary manufacturing stage and  at post manufacture at the trade level, as well. The problem must be dealt with collectively by Manufacturers / Traders, Tea Board of India, FSSAI and Consumer Organizations. Greater consumer awareness needs to be generated and regulatory interventions strengthened at the State level.
• Iron particles in Tea should not be viewed and classified as adulterants but only as incidental during Tea manufacture. The abrasion caused due to movement and friction of Tea Rollers & CTC machines (used to macerate the green tea leaves) result in the presence Iron particles (both free and impregnated) in manufactured Tea. Various steps of manufacture from withering to sieving could also contribute to incidence of iron filings.
• While FSSAI has set  a tolerance limit of 250 mg/kg for  Iron Filings (an incidental contaminant), the industry continues to exercise all possible caution towards removal / minimizing its presence by extraction through high powered magnets as a process control during manufacture and post manufacture steps. The Tea Research Association is also spearheading initiatives involving:

a) Prescription of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) 
b) Development of higher efficiency Iron Particles Extraction Machine,
c) Development of a Micronizer – an innovative Processing Machine avoiding metal to metal contact and
d) Plasma Nitriding of CTC Rollers improving their surface hardness. BIS has developed a method to determine iron filings and FSSAI is also in the process of developing a method.

• The need for judicious and rational use of pesticides and also adoption of Integrated Pest Management was also highlighted, as an important initiative to manage the pesticide residues in Tea and offering a safe product to Consumers.  
• Responsible sections of the Tea trade and established Tea packet Brands follow rigorous checks and process controls to ensure delivery of quality and safe products to the consumer.
• From a consumer perspective Brands enjoy strong commitment and loyalty. Therefore, quality and safety issues need strong enforcement going beyond nominal standards. The FSSAI’s Safety-on-Wheels initiative need to be strengthened and extended to cover the common man’s drink. 
• Consumer awareness plan to be developed by Consumer VOICE.
• Iron particles in Tea are incidental contaminants as the abrasion caused due to movement and friction of Steel Tea Rollers & CTC machines (used to macerate the green tea leaves) result in the presence Iron particles (both free and impregnated) in manufactured Tea. FSSAI has already set a tolerance limit of 250 mg/kg and the industry continues to exercise all possible caution towards meeting this limit, through removal / minimizing  presence of iron filings by extraction through high powered magnets as a process control during manufacture and post manufacture steps. BIS has developed a method to determine iron filings and FSSAI is also in the process of developing a method.
• The need for judicious and rational use of pesticides and adoption of Integrated Pest Management are the important initiatives to be adopted to manage the pesticide residues in Tea and for offering a safe product to Consumers.

Panel Discussion – Consumers Should Be Protected Through Strong Laws

Eminent consumer activists and lawyers urged all political parties to support the passage of the Consumer Protection Bill 2018 in Lok Sabha and include it in their party manifesto.

On the occasion of World Consumer Rights Day 2019, a sensitization meet was organised by Consumer Voice at the New Delhi head office.

Shri Ashim Sanyal, COO, Consumer VOICE introduced the global theme of World Consumer Rights Day- Trusted Smart Products and told that we need to address the risk and concerns that come with allowing smart products into our lives such as: poor data protection, weak security and lack of accessible information. He stressed upon a strong law to safeguard the consumers and gave a brief introduction about consumer protection bill 2018.

Shri DivyaJyoti Jaipuriar, President Consumer Redressal Forum (South-west) Delhi , Shri C.K. Chaturvedi, Senior Advocate and Former President Consumer  Redressal Forum New Delhi , Prof.Sri Ram Khanna, Former Head & Dean Commerce, Delhi School of Economics & Managing Trustee, Consumer VOICE, joined the panel discussion.

The theme of the discussion was “How to strengthen consumer rights through the passage of Consumer Protection Bill 2018 in the next parliament session.”

FOLLOWING POINTS WERE DISCUSSED

• On December 20, 2018, The Consumer Protection Bill, 2018 with some significant amendments was passed in the Lok Sabha. However, the Bill lapsed in the Rajya Sabha awaiting passage when the Parliament was adjourned sine die on Wednesday, 13th February, 2019.
• Since this Bill had been introduced in the Lok Sabha which had completed its term, the Bill in Rajya Sabha lapsed upon dissolution of Lok Sabha as per parliamentary procedure.
• There are some gaps in the existing Act like no provision for mediation and out of court settlement inordinate delay, lengthy process of appeal, several adjournments due to unavailability of quorums etc.
• These are the biggest reasons why several aggrieved consumers refrain themselves from filing consumer complaints. For example, if the disputed amount of the consumer is Rs. 10,000/-and his case goes beyond 6 months, no consumer would want to pursue the case as it will defeat the entire purpose of achieving justice.
• This Bill introduced various positive changes, which included (i) Setting up of a Central Consumer protection Authority, (ii) Setting up of Mediation Centres in Consumer Courts, (iii) Widening the jurisdiction of Consumer Courts (iv) Unfair Terms of Contract, (v) Jail for false and misleading ads, sale of spurious products and adulterated food, (vi) Product Liability. This Bill is important to be passed as it will curb these issues and more consumers will be open to approach the consumer courts.

Along with other guests Ms.Rekha Dayal former senior advocate Supreme Court also shared her views on the importance of the Consumer Protection Bill 2018. Ms.Rinki Sharma-Head Projects, Ekta Purohit- Manager-Projects/Media, and Ankur Saha-Legal Head were also present.

World Consumer Rights Day 2021

World Consumer Rights Day is celebrated every year on 15th of March to highlight the power of consumers and their rights for a fair, safe and sustainable marketplace for everyone. This year the theme is  ‘Tackling Plastic Pollution’. Through this campaign we intend to increase awareness and engage consumers globally to adopt and promote more sustainable practices.

Here are some hard facts which will help one to understand why tackling plastic pollution is so important:

• By 2050, it is estimated that there will be more plastic in the oceans than fish
• 100,000 marine mammals and turtles and 1 million sea birds are killed by marine plastic pollution annually
• An estimated 8 million tons of plastic enters our oceans every year 
• Single-use plastics account for 50 percent of the plastic produced every year
• Half of all plastics ever manufactured have been made in the last 15 years
• 40 per cent of plastic produced is packaging and discarded after one use
• India consumed around 18.45 million tonnes of plastics in 2018–19 
• Plastic waste generation is expected to increase to 31.4 million tonnes by 2031 and further to 55 million tonnes by 2041 

(Sources: PlastIndia, 2019, Statista 2019, Consumers International)

The invention of plastics definitely came as a boon but no sooner it became a curse especially with single-use plastics. Plastics which are very useful commodities because of its properties like ductility, malleability, and water resistance have now become an environmental challenge. With lack of awareness and poor solid waste management in cities, plastics have resulted in its littering and damaging oceans, seas and land. Challenges are galore with recycling and management of plastic resources as well. 

However, with time, consumers are gaining awareness and getting concerned about plastic pollution. As per Consumers International, a global study in 2019 found that there is a strong consumer response to plastic waste (with 82% of respondents using reusable cleaning utensils instead of single-use plastic alternatives, 72% bringing reusable bags when shopping and 62% using refillable drinking bottles) – and despite the increased use of single-use plastic during the pandemic, 55% of consumers globally have now become more concerned about the environment as a result of COVID-19 and nearly 74% of consumers (in Europe, the US and South America) are willing to spend more on sustainable packaging.

Theme of World Consumer Rights Day 2021

Keeping the urgent need to save our planet, the theme for World Consumer Rights Day 2021 has been kept at ‘Tackling Plastic Pollution’. The 2021 World Consumer Rights Day campaign will focus on 7Rs: Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repair and Replace. Consumer VOICE is committed to make the world a better place for consumers from every aspect including protecting it environmental pollution cause due to uneconomical waste disposal.

What can be done?

The 7Rs can be used in an effective way to ensure that we minimise plastic use, refuse unnecessary plastic where possible and demand more sustainable alternatives from businesses and governments. We can extend the lifetime of plastic products by reusingthem, dispose of plastic waste appropriately by following local recycling guidelines. 

Refuse – Refuse to accept or support products or companies that harm the environment. One way of doing this is to refuse items that are over-packaged or packaged in plastic. 

Reduce –One can reduce single use plastic bottles in kitchens and in daily supplies and instead use reusable and refillable products – eg avoid paper cups and paper plates

Reuse – Get in the habit of reusing jars and containers. Reuse plastic bottles for storing or for planting. You can also use bottles for storing cutlery, pen stands etc

Repair– Repair broken and damaged items or recycle them with some excellent ideas. There are many exciting ways household items can be repurposed and repaired. 

Recycle – Recycling of plastic items will reduce waste and environmental pollution. There are various recycle ideas which can be used efficiently.

Replace – Replace plastic containers with eco friendly alternatives. 

Rethink – Rethink before you buy plastic wrapped things from the market. Use unpackaged products to reduce the use of plastics.

Role of Consumer VOICE

Consumer VOICE has been in the forefront in generating awareness and promoting sustainable practices among consumers. Innovative ideas like recycling old plastic bottles for potted plants, refusing plastic bags and replacing it with recycled bags or cloth bags have been part of consumer sensitisation. Children play a crucial role in contributing towards the environment by taking small but solid steps in day to day activities. Encouraging children to drink water out of reusable can, spreading the awareness on the harmful effects of plastics with peer groups are ways which will form part of the campaign. Managing ewaste which accounts for a substantial proportion of plastics is very crucial when it comes to saving our environment. Consumer VOICE has also been spreading awareness through various workshops in the past on how one should become a responsible consumer and contribute diligently towards disposal of ewaste without harming the environment.

Webinar on Safe Tea

World Consumer Rights Day 2020

Climate change is affecting millions of people the world over. This problem should be urgently addressed by global leaders to avert an environmental breakdown and one of the solutions is sustainable consumption. Consumers have a great role to play in this and as a recent study shows that 66% of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable brands. In another report by IKEA, it shows that global population is becoming more informed and anxious about climate change. But though the concern is there, consumers at large feel that not enough action is being taken. A recent survey found 37% don’t know how they can help tackle climate change and 59% feel they do not get enough support from governments, and 51% from business.

THEME OF WORLD CONSUMER RIGHTS DAY 2020

Keeping the urgent need to take drastic action to save our environment and prevent biodiversity loss, World Consumer Rights Day 2020 is being celebrated with the theme ‘The Sustainable Consumer’. World Consumer Rights Day is celebrated on 15th March every year, where consumer organizations all over the world come together to highlight and raise awareness on issues concerning consumers.
Consumer VOICE too is committed to make the world a better place for consumers from every aspect including protecting it from climate change. Consumer VOICE has chosen E waste management as its theme.

WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION

Sustainable consumption is the consumption of goods and services that have minimal impact upon the environment, are socially equitable and economically viable whilst meeting the basic needs of humans, worldwide. Sustainable consumption targets everyone, across all sectors and all nations, from the individual to governments and multinational conglomerates.
We as consumers have a task in hand if we want to move towards sustainable consumption.Around the world, nearly one million plastic bottles are sold every minute, and five trillion pieces of plastic are floating in our oceans.We buy over 80 billion new clothing items a year, and consume 3.9 billion tonnes of food – one-third of which is lost or wasted.
It is time for us to act for our future generations. Climate change is the worst effect of unsustainable consumption. The decade of the 2020s is our last chance to limit global warming to 1.5c since pre-industrial times, in line with the Paris Agreement and to reverse the current trend of wide-scale biodiversity loss.

WHAT CAN BE DONE?

Unsustainable Packaging

What we are shopping either online or offline we tend to hoard unnecessary packaging.  Among all packaging food packaging waste equals to almost one third of all trash. Some medicines have two to three layers of plastic packaging too. It is time to demand for either recyclable or reusable packaging.

Unsustainable transportation

The automobile sector adds to the global carbon footprint in a big way. Polluted vehicles, rampant use of personal transport in place of public transport leads to release of carbon monoxide. Ride sharing and use of e-vehicles will help consumers work towards a more sustainable consumption.

Unsustainable Electronic Goods Consumption

Electronic goods are being bought and consumed at a fast rate but its disposal is equally quick. This leads to e-waste which adds toxins to the already polluted environment of ours. We need to guard ourselves against decreasing product lifetime?  Though most consumers know some products are designed to die after a certain point, the thought is less acceptable. 

Consumer VOICE has therefore decided to work towards controlling e-waste, an important part of sustainable consumer.

WHAT IS E WASTE?

Electronic waste, abbreviated as ‘e-waste’ is a term used to describe old, end-of-life electronic appliances such as computers, laptops, TVs, radios, refrigerators among others which have been discarded by users.

E-waste is a cocktail of toxins like mercury, lead, cadmium, arsenic, and beryllium or brominated flame retardants that are hazardous to human health and the environment if not recycled using state-of-the art technology. E-waste is not just a problem of waste quantity or volumes. The concern is compounded because of the presence of toxic materials like lead, mercury, cadmium, certain BFRs (brominated flame retardants) and many other chemicals.

With the usage of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) on the rise, the amount of electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) produced each day is equally growing enormously around the globe.

E WASTE IN INDIA

Did you know?

Computer equipments account for almost 70 per cent of e-waste followed by telecommunication equipments  -phones (12 per cent), electrical equipment (8 per cent) and medical equipment (7 per cent) with the remaining coming from household e-waste.

• India accounts for roughly 4 per cent of e-waste generated annually.
• Mumbai topped the list as it generated an estimated 1,20,000 tonnes of e-waste annually.
• Delhi and Bengaluru ranked second and third, with 98,000 and 92,000 tonnes of e-waste generation respectively.
• Approximately 70 per cent of heavy metals found in landfills are accounted for by E-waste. 
• Since 2018, India generates more than 2 million tonnes of e-waste annually, and also imports huge amounts of e-waste from other countries around the world.

(Source: ASSOCHAM-KPMG study, titled “Electronic Waste Management in India’’)

World Consumer Rights Day Workshop on e-waste

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO MANAGE E WASTE?

E waste is potentially harmful to the environment and causes hazardous diseases. It affects the air, water and soil too. When improperly disposed of, the heavy metals, plastics and glass in e-waste can pollute the air or seep into waterways. It harms the plants and trees and thus dislodges the ecological balance. In addition to its hazardous components, being processed, e-waste can give rise to a number of toxic by-products likely to affect human health.

E-waste-connected health risks may result from direct contact with harmful materials such as lead, cadmium, chromium, brominated flame retardants or polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), from inhalation of toxic fumes, as well as from accumulation of chemicals in soil, water and food. 

Primitive recycling techniques such as burning cables for retaining the inherent copper expose both adult and child workers as well as their families to a range of hazardous substances.

E WASTE DISPOSAL & MANAGEMENT

Managing E-waste is crucial for sustainable development. E waste which is becoming a huge public health issue needs to be addressed immediately. In order to separately collect, effectively treat, and dispose of e-waste, as well as divert it from conventional landfills and open burning, it is essential to integrate the informal sector with the formal sector. The competent authorities in developing and transition countries need to establish mechanisms for handling and treatment of e-waste in a safe and sustainable manner.

Increasing information campaigns, capacity building, and awareness is critical to promote environment friendly e-waste management programmes. Increasing efforts are urgently required on improvement of the current practices such as collection schemes and management practices to reduce the illegal trade of e-waste. Reducing the amount of hazardous substances in e-products will also have a positive effect in dealing with the specific e-waste streams since it will support the prevention process.

ROLE OF CONSUMER VOICE

Consumer VOICE will explore and study the problem on how one can tackle the problem of e-waste.  One of the ways is to sensitize children, youth and communities about the perils of e-waste and how they can to tackle it.

Children are one of our main target groups as gadgets and electronic goods are more commonly used by Generation Z. So the best possible way to address the problem is through social media. Consumption of electronic goods in the digital era is maximum by this generation which also results in a heavy amount of e-waste. Consumer VOICE plans regular messaging and interactive sessions which will empower children.