(6 January 2026 | Source: Committee for Sanitary and Epidemiological Control of the Republic of Kazakhstan)
Kazakhstan's Chief State Sanitary Doctor has banned the import and sale of a number of black tea brands after food colourings, which are not permitted for use in tea, were found in them. The decision was based on the results of test purchases and a sanitary-epidemiological examination.
REASON FOR INTRODUCING RESTRICTIONS
According to the resolution of the Chief State Sanitary Doctor of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 5 January 2026 No. 1-PGSV, temporary sanitary measures have been introduced regarding tea that does not meet the requirements of:
- the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union "On Food Safety" (TR CU 021/2011);
- the "Safety Requirements for Food Additives, Flavourings and Processing Aids" (TR CU 029/2012);
- the regulations "Food Products Regarding Their Labelling" (TR CU 022/2011).
WHAT THE EXAMINATION REVEALED
During test purchases and the sanitary-epidemiological examination, instances of the production and sale of black tea containing food colourings not permitted for use in tea were identified:
- E110 — 'Sunset Yellow';
- E102 — Tartrazine;
- E124 — Ponceau 4R.
Furthermore, invalid production and packaging addresses were listed on the packaging of a number of products, which, according to the supervisory authorities, indicates a lack of permits for carrying out this activity. These circumstances were established during investigations in the field of sanitary and epidemiological welfare of the population.
WHICH TEA BRANDS ARE SUBJECT TO THE BAN
A temporary ban on import and sale has been introduced for the following black tea products:
- 'Apamnyń shaıi Premium Gold', 'Al-Hayat Gold', 'BALQIIA Premium Gold' — manufacturer: Orda Trade Astana LLP (Almaty Region);
- 'Sultan Suleyman', 'Pakistan Tea' — manufacturer: Real Trade Astana LLP (Astana);
- 'BALQIIA Premium Gold' — manufacturer: Sole Proprietor 'Al-Hadiya' (Almaty);
- 'Aje Onim' — manufacturer: Sole Proprietor 'Orda Chaı' (Almaty), commissioned by 'Kaltsii' LLP;
- 'Al-Hayat Gold' — manufacturer: Empire KENIY E.P.Z. Limited (Almaty Region);
- 'Al-Jannat Premium' — manufacturer: Sole Proprietor 'Ferdaus' (Almaty);
- 'Alfarah' — manufacturer not specified on packaging.
WHAT THIS MEANS
The introduced measures are temporary and aim to prevent the circulation of products that do not meet sanitary requirements. The supervisory authorities' materials do not specify the duration of the restrictions or the possibility of resuming imports and sales.