New Delhi, June 8 -- India has banned the use of epichlorohydrin, a paper-strengthening chemical classified as a potential carcinogen, and chlorine for bleaching in tea bags sold in the country.

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), which works under the department of consumers affairs, has for the first time set norms for tea bags, mandating that they carry the manufacturer's name and address, batch number, date of manufacture and expiry date while laying down safety, quality and traceability requirements for the rapidly growing segment.

India's $500 million tea bag market is growing as demand rises in urban households, offices, hotels, airlines and export markets due to convenience and changing consumption patterns.

"Tea bags are now...