1. INTRODUCTION
Tea, Camellia sinensis, has been imported into Europe for in excess of 200 years with few, if any,
reported safety concerns and has consequently been deemed to be ‘low’ risk in terms of food safety.
Tea is an agricultural product that is predominantly grown, harvested and processed in developing
countries. It is sold on the world market either by Public Auction or Private Treaty (either directly by
the producer or via a broker or trader). It is generally impractical for the European Packer to exert any
direct control over the tea manufacturing process or to directly control food safety issues addressed
during the process.
EU Regulation 852/2004 concerning the hygiene of foodstuffs places an obligation on food business
operators to ensure that all stages of production, processing and distribution of food under their control
satisfies the relevant hygiene requirements laid down in the Regulation.
The Regulation requires that food business operators put in place, implement and maintain a
permanent procedure or procedures based on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP)
principles. This requirement will apply to tea processors carrying out any stage of production,
processing and distribution of food after primary production and associated operations.
Procedures based on the HACCP principles should not initially apply to primary production of tea but
food hazards present at the level of primary production and associated operations should be identified
and adequately controlled to ensure the achievement of the objectives of the Regulation.
Tea imported into the EU is subject to the requirements laid down in this Regulation.
These guidance notes have therefore been produced by the European Tea Committee for use by its
members to:
Facilitate a common approach to discharging their food safety responsibilities,
Assist in discussions with national authorities regarding compliance with the EU Regulation
No 852/2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs in relation to manufactured tea, i.e. their primary
raw material and, if appropriate,
Produce national guides or codes of practice.
National and European Regulations for tea are enforced without prejudice to the guidelines.