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English information
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Objects of the association:
The task of the association is to safeguard and promote its members' particular interests relating to the import, manufacture, packaging and/or marketing of tea (Camellia sinensis, Linnaeus, O. Kuntze) in all its varieties and forms of presentation at practical and political level.
Focus of activities:
The German Tea Association focuses on issues relating to food law, quality control and nutritional aspects of tea.
Main food law issues are
Labelling
Compounds in tea
Flavourings and extracts
Specifications for organic food
Guidelines in the "Deutsches Lebensmittelbuch" for tea, herbal infusions, extracts and preparations thereof
Quality control issues are of central importance and are handled in close co-operation with the tea producing countries. The German Tea Association has adopted a Code of Practice for Quality Control to which all members have committed themselves. This Code contains guidelines for sampling and minimum requirements for analysing tea for pesticide residues. The association regularly monitors tea for residues of plant protective substances and has set up a comprehensive data bank for this purpose.
In addition, the association disseminates information on all aspects of tea and latest market developments.
A scientific committee is available to provide guidance in matters relating to research on nutrition and health.
Membership:
30 full members and 18 associate members.
Market data:
2009:
Total tea consumption: 18,000 tons
Per capita consumption: over 25,5 litres
2008:
Total tea consumption: 17,750 tons
Per capita consumption: over 25.5 litres
2007:
Total tea consumption: 17,573 tons
Per capita consumption: approx. 25 litres
2006:
Total tea consumption: 17,530 tons
Per capita consumption: approx. 25 litres
2005:
Total tea consumption: 18,091 tons
Per capita consumption: approx. 25,5 litres
2004:
Total tea consumption: 17,912 tons
Per capita consumption: approx. 25 litres
Chairman:
Jochen Spethmann, Messrs. Ostfriesische Teegesellschaft Laurens Spethmann GmbH & Co.
Secretary General:
Dr. Monika Beutgen, lawyer
Personal Assistants:
Christiane Hillesheim-Behrens, Christina Claussen
Additional information:
The German Tea Association is a member of
ETC - European Tea Committee, Hamburg
Bund für Lebensmittelrecht und Lebensmittelkunde e.V., (BLL), Bonn (National Food Law Association)
Forschungskreis der Ernährungsindustrie e.V. (FEI), Bonn (FEI = Food Industry Research)
DIN working group on tea
The Tea Association operates Tea Tasters' Panel whose task is to assess tea samples at the request of food inspectors, scientific institutes and the industry. Prior to testing, the tea samples are neutrally packed in order to conceal the identity of producer / submitter. The assessment procedure covers organoleptic properties, general and specific characteristics and labelling claims relating to origin and quality.
Tea market 2009
Tea market 2008
Tea market 2007
Tea market 2006
Tea market 2005
Tea market 2004
Tea market 2003
Science
You are interested in scientific topics on tea? The
"Tea and Science" bulletin (W.I.T) issued by the German Tea Association twice a year presents latest research and essays on nutritional aspects, health benefits, history and social aspects of tea. Summaries of all articles in English are available here.
For full versions of the texts in German please go to our
German articles
Show printable version
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