BAKU, October 2, 2025
Reports in Russian media about the discovery of dangerous chemical residues in several tea products have raised concerns in Azerbaijan.
The Azerbaijan Food Safety Agency (AFSA) confirmed to Oxu.Az that samples of Greenfield and Tess teas imported into the country have been collected and sent for laboratory testing. The agency stressed that inspections are being carried out under a risk-based approach and that investigations are ongoing. Results will be shared with the public once available.
Meanwhile, Russia’s Rospotrebnadzor has reportedly withdrawn more than 111 tons of contaminated tea from circulation in the past eight months. Among the brands cited are Tess, Greenfield, and Zolotaya Chasha.
Health experts warn that while the likelihood of encountering dangerous products may be low, the health risks are significant. Pesticides can damage the nervous system, weaken memory and concentration, cause allergic reactions, and in severe cases, contribute to cancer. Symptoms of acute poisoning range from nausea and headaches to loss of consciousness.
The tea manufacturer Orimi Group, which produces Greenfield, Tess, Princessa Nuri, Princessa Yava, and other brands, denied the allegations. Corporate communications director Maria Drabova told Oxu.Az that no cases of excessive pesticide residues had been identified in Orimi products sold on the Russian market in 2025.
She added that, under Eurasian Economic Union and Russian regulations, all raw materials and finished products undergo mandatory pesticide checks. Orimi also conducts independent random laboratory tests on tea supplies.
For now, Azerbaijani consumers await AFSA’s test results, which will determine whether the suspect products meet national safety standards.
