BIS bans use of epichlorohydrin in tea bangs

Why in News?

India has notified its first-ever quality standards for tea bags through the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), introducing comprehensive regulations covering tea bag materials, safety, traceability, and labeling. A key feature of the new standards is the ban on the use of epichlorohydrin, a chemical classified as a potential carcinogen.

Key Highlights of the New BIS Standards

• The standards regulate not only the tea contained in tea bags but also the paper, thread, tags, inks, and adhesives used in their manufacture.
• Manufacturers must comply with stricter requirements related to:
  • Product safety
  • Quality control
  • Traceability
  • Consumer labeling
• Tea bags sold in India must now be free from epichlorohydrin.

What is Epichlorohydrin?

• Epichlorohydrin (ECH) is a colorless, highly reactive organochlorine compound used as an industrial chemical intermediate.
• Chemical Formula: C₃H₅ClO
• It is primarily used in the manufacture of epoxy resins, synthetic glycerin, ion-exchange resins, and water-treatment chemicals.

• Its largest application is in the manufacture of epoxy resins.
• It is commonly reacted with Bisphenol A through a base-catalyzed condensation process to produce Bisphenol A Diglycidyl Ether (BADGE), a widely used epoxy resin.
• Used as an intermediate in the production of synthetic rubbers, polymers, surface-active agents.
• Employed as a solvent in certain resins, coatings, paints, and industrial formulations.

Health Concerns

• The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified epichlorohydrin as “probably carcinogenic to humans” (Group 2A).
• The National Toxicology Program lists it as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.”

Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)

• BIS is the National Standards Body of India operating under the Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
• Established under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016.

Source: Mint