Discussions about ‘dust,’ ‘dye,’ and ‘adulteration’ in tea, the most consumed beverage after water in Turkey, sometimes confuse consumers.
Food Engineer Dr. Selen Akbulut stated that ‘dust’ in tea actually refers to very small leaf particles formed as a result of the tea leaf processing (drying, mincing, sifting, and transport), adding, “This dust can be a natural crumb of the tea. However, a high proportion of dust structure in tea can be considered an indicator of low quality or excessive mechanical processing.”
“The content of tea should consist solely of the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant,” said Dr. Akbulut, warning, “No tea sold in bulk, without any packaging, and where producer traceability cannot be ensured should be purchased.” Akbulut also stated that detecting fraud and adulteration with home tea tests is not possible.
Lecturer Dr. Selen Akbulut, Head of the Food Technology Program at Üsküdar University Vocational School of Health Services, evaluated everything from the concept of 'dust' in tea to additives, and what consumers should pay attention to.
Dust in tea does not always mean foreign matter
Dr. Selen Akbulut stated that 'dust' in tea actually refers to very small leaf particles formed as a result of the tea leaf processing (drying, mincing, sifting, and transport), saying, “This dust can be a natural crumb of the tea. However, a high proportion of dust structure in tea can be considered an indicator of low quality or excessive mechanical processing.”
No additives can be added to tea
Dr. Akbulut stated that the legislation on the use of additives in tea is extremely clear, saying, “According to the Turkish Food Codex Tea Communiqué; it is stated that no additives can absolutely be added to any of these products, including black tea, green tea, flavored black and green tea, and decaffeinated black and green tea. If flavors and flavor enhancers are to be used for product development, they must be used under conditions compliant with the provisions of the Regulation on Flavorings and Food Ingredients with Flavoring Properties, the quantities of contaminants with the provisions of the Regulation on Contaminants, and pesticide residue amounts with the Regulation on Maximum Residue Limits of Pesticides.”
Tea content should consist only of Camellia sinensis plant leaves
Akbulut pointed out that when examining the list of 'Adulterated and Imitated Foods' regularly declared by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the most common issue encountered in tea is 'Food Dye Detection,' stating, “Colorants such as Sudan dyes Sudan I–IV, and Metanil yellow are unfortunately used in tea products for imitation and adulteration purposes. The content of tea should consist solely of the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant.”
Lecturer Dr. Selen Akbulut, drawing attention to the health risks posed by colorants added to tea for fraudulent purposes, said, “The prohibited dyes alleged to be used in tea can carry risks of carcinogenic effects, liver and kidney damage, allergic reactions, and long-term toxic accumulation.”
Home tests should not be relied upon
Dr. Selen Akbulut also clarified claims of 'home tea tests' frequently shared on social media, saying, “Unfortunately, it is not possible to reliably detect fraud or adulteration in tea with simple tests that can be applied at home. Whether there is any fraud in tea can only be determined as a result of scientific analyses carried out in accredited laboratories. However, if consumers suspect that the tea they purchased is adulterated, they can file a complaint via the Alo 174 Food Safety Line. Additionally, consumers can request an official inspection by submitting samples of suspicious products to the relevant units of the T.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.”
Stay away from bulk and untraceable teas
Dr. Akbulut, noting that tea consumption is quite high in Turkey, said, “According to the latest report published by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in 2025, tea is consumed more than all other beverages in the world, excluding water. Drinking tea is a daily ritual for half of the world's population. Turkey's per capita fresh tea consumption in 2023/24 is 13.7 kg. The amount of dry tea corresponds to 3.5-4 kg. Consumers should definitely make sure to buy this highly consumed product in our country from known and inspected brands. As with purchasing all food products, 'label literacy' is very important when buying tea. Label information (manufacturer, lot number, origin) must be absolutely checked by consumers. If any suspicious situation is detected in the sensory properties of the purchased tea, such as its taste, color, or smell, the relevant units of the T.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry should be informed immediately. Furthermore, no tea sold in bulk, without any packaging, and where producer traceability cannot be ensured should be purchased. It should not be forgotten that the risk of fraud and adulteration is higher in such products as traceability is not possible.”