Exactly What is Organic ?

Exactly What is Organic : The word organic seems simple enough but can be confusing for consumers. Here is an inside look at the standards and laws governing this important group of products, particularly tea.

What exactly determines if a product is grown organically?

Exactly What is Organic

Organic crops must be grown without the use of;

Most conventional pesticides
Petroleum based fertilizers
Sewage sludge-based fertilizers

What are organic labeling standards?

Organic labeling is the simplest part of the certification process and the aspect that is most confusing for consumers. While many times organic on a label means you pay more, what is the meaning behind the label? The standards are based on the percentage of organic ingredients in a product, and by law must be identified like this;

Products labeled 100 % organic must contain only organically produced ingredients.

Products labeled organic must consist of at least 95% organically produced ingredients.

Both may display the USDA Organic Seal.

Processed products that contain at least 70% organic ingredients can only use the phrase made with organic ingredients.

Processed products that contain less than 70% organic ingredients cannot use the term organic other than to identify the specific ingredients, on the ingredients list, that are organically produced.

So what does all this mean to US tea consumers? Since tea is grown outside of the US certification is almost always done by foreign agents. It has become increasingly important for consumers concerned about how their teas are grown to be comfortable with their tea supplier. Bio terrorism laws have impacted tea importation by looking more closely overall at what and who are importing products into this country, particularly food products. While these laws can sometimes impede the smooth flow of tea to us from overseas it may be beneficial overall to consumers due to the closer look of the FDA.

Converting gardens and estates to organic farming is a costly and lengthy process and sometimes not even a consideration for small farmers. In some cases farmers are already doing a lot right, but lack the knowledge or funding necessary to become certified. There is an effort by the US tea industry to educate growers on the benefit both economically and ecologically for growing teas organically.

Quality, from a taste perspective, has been an issue with organic teas. Gardens converting to organic farming have challenges, short and long term, producing teas that taste as good. As processes continue to improve an d farmers gain more experience, quality and taste are improving.

As an importer and supplier of premium teas one of our major responsibilities is knowing the production standards and philosophies of the gardens we work with. Securing quality, organic teas with outstanding taste characteristics can be challenging but more become available each season.