The Lie In The Tea Leaves

What Are Your Tea Leaves Saying?

I am so furious.  Being a Southern Belle, I have enjoyed fresh brewed tea all my life.  It’s considered a food staple in my house.  I have discovered that several of my favorite brands have pulled the wool over my eyes.  They’re not safe to drink.  Laden with pesticides, toxins, artificial ingredients, added flavors and GMOs are the reasons why I am so disgusted.  These brands include Lipton, Celestial Seasonings, Tazo, Trader Joe’s, Tea Forte, Twinings of London and Teavana to name a few.  Based on a recent study by Glaucus Research, 91% of Celestial Seasonings tea tested had pesticide residues exceeding U.S. limits.  To make it worse, the company’s Sleepytime Kids Goodnight Grape Herbal contained .26 ppm of propachlor, which is a known carcinogen under California’s Proposition 65.  They have the audacity to possibly harm our kids.  Is nothing or no one safe anymore?  In addition, the “Wellness” tea line contains propargite, a known carcinogen and developmental toxin.  On top of having tainted tea leaves, the tea bags aren’t safe either.  The tea bags are treated with epichlorohydrin, which is a compound used in the production of epoxy resins, and it’s used as a pesticide.  When in contact with boiling water, it hydrolyzes to 3-MCPD, which causes cancer in animals.  It has been implicated in infertility and suppressed immune function.  These major labels appear to have no interest in true quality control or making a product that really mirrors their claims of being natural or providing health benefits.  What a shame?  There is a saving grace however.  I would suggest reading the labels, research a brand that is organic and non-GMO certified, and make sure they use a safe form of packaging material or buy loose leaf tea.  Also check out ToxDr.com. Their mission is to improve the quality of people's lives by educating them about the toxins they are exposed to in daily life and the effect of these toxins on humans and the environment, and offer healthier and toxic-free solutions for every walk of life.