Micro plastic free tea bags exhibited in Abu Dhabi

HT Correspondent
JORHAT, Dec 10: A start-up which is a incubatee of North East Agriculture Technology Entrepreneurs’ Hub (NEATEHUB), the agri-business incubator of Assam Agricultural University at the university’s main campus here, has launched a first of kind its product – micro-plastic-free tea bags – at Abu Dhabi International Food Exhibition (UAE) that was held from December 6 to 8.
An AAU official informed that a start-up (Esah Tea) set up by a young entrepreneur Bijit Sharma of the State has used micro-plastic free tea bags using nitrogen-flushed organically certified cotton tea bags.
The official stated that using cotton bags is significant in view of recent research suggesting use of nylon or polymer-based materials in making tea bags, which many brands reportedly use, has been found to be harmful for health.
The official mentioned Esah Tea incubated in the first cohort of NEATEHUB had received a grant funding of Rs 20 lakhs under the RKVY- RAFTAAR scheme of the Central Government.
It may be mentioned here that NEATEHUB was established in 2019 with support from NITI Aayog and the Department of Agri Cooperation and Farmers Welfare of the Central Government, to support the agri startup ecosystem of the North-Eastern region.