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Toxic Teas? Oh No!

On a recent visit to my son’s home, my daughter in law asked me not to put my OG tea bags in the bucket for the worm composting. Their own experience of finding little pieces of plastic in their compost led to an eye opening discovery. The plastic was coming from the tea bags! 

My research found this to be true, along with some better news. Read the following article written by Jamie Kiffel-Alcheh for Clean Plates*. – N.R Mallery, Publisher

Photo: Laurel F from Seattle, WA (Tea) via Wikimedia Commons

Photo: Laurel F from Seattle, WA (Tea) via Wikimedia Commons

By Jared Koch

So many of us enjoy relaxing with a hot cup of tea. Tea leaves have been shown to reduce the risks of cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and also to help lower cholesterol, and improve mental focus. But it turns out that some tea bags aren’t so heart-warming.

Certain ones are treated with epichlorohydrin, a plastic that helps to keep the bags from breaking. The problem is that epichlorohydrin can potentially break down in water…and be released into your drink. The EPA says drinking water with high levels of epichlorohydrin, over a long period of time, could cause stomach problems and an increased risk of cancer. For perspective: The EPA allows up to 20 parts per million in drinking water, and epichlorohydrin-containing tea bags may include 50 parts per billion. Although the EPA’s stated current goal is zero parts, you can continue to enjoy these toxin-free teas:

These bagged teas are all free of epichlorohydrin, as well as pesticides and artificial flavorings:

  • Numi Tea confirms, “Our teas are pesticide-free and non-GMO verified, and our tea bags are made from manila hemp cellulose, and free of epichlorohydrin. The tags are made from 100% recycled material and soy-based inks.”
  • Rishi Tea’s certified organic teas are bagged with PLA—polylactic acid, creating “silken” bags. Unlike other “silky” bags, which can be made with PET plastic, these are corn and potato starch-based. Tea Buyer Jeff Champeau confirms “Our Natural Fiber Loose Leaf Tea Filters are made without glue or any other binding agent.”
  • EDEN Organic’s company rep Wendy Esko confirms, “The bags are made from oxygen washed manila fibers with no polluting whiteners used. Once filled, the bags are crimped and sealed with 100% cotton string. No staples, plastics, or glue are ever used.”
  • Organic Stash’s website explains that “The filter paper used for Stash Tea bags is made from 100% cellulose fibers (wood) and is made to appear white by forcing air between the fibers. No bleach is used. The filter paper is not coated with the compound called epichlorohydrin, and does not contain any free epichlorohydrin.”
  • Choice Organic Teas company consumer relations expert, Nia, assured Clean Plates that all Choice Teas are not only organic but free of epichlorohydrin.
  • Two Leaves organic tea’s company rep states “We pride ourselves on being pesticide-free as well as on having corn-based tea sachets.” The website adds, “Our sachets are made of biodegradable cornstarch based nylon, not petroleum based nylon.”
  • Organic Tazo. “We’ve checked with our teabag suppliers,” says a spokesperson for Starbucks (Tazo’s owner), “and they have confirmed that the only teabags we sell (our Tazo sachets or paper filterbags) do not use epichlorohydrin.”
  • Organic Traditional Medicinals confirmed that this brand is epichlorohydrin-free. From Traditional Medicinals’ website: “Our herbal teas are put into unbleached tea bags made from abacá (Musa textilis), also sometimes known as manila hemp. The tea bags are attached with aluminum staple wire to teabag string made of raw cotton (Gossypium spp.) and a paper tea tag.”
  • Organic Yogi Tea’s rep confirms, “We currently use a non-heat sealable filtration paper made from a select blend of high quality manila hemp (abaca) fibers and wood pulp. The filtration paper does not contain epichlorohydrin, nor plastic or polypropylene. It is oxygen bleached using a natural process that is completely free of chemicals or toxins, including dioxin.”
  • Tetley Black & Green tea. Tetley’s new Black & Green (a blend of both varieties) uses Perflo paper bags, which are free of epichlorohydrin. The tea is also free of pesticides.

And then, straining your own organic loose teas, well — that’s safe-tea.

About Clean Plates: Jared Koch is CEO, creator and co-author of Clean Plates, the only nutritionist and food critic approved guide to the healthiest and most sustainable restaurants in New York. Jared believes in and shares how to live a conscious, healthier lifestyle through education, inspiration, resources, and support at www.cleanplates.com.

 

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