Pesticides, rat hair, insects, plastic… You won’t believe what’s in your tea bags!
A recent study by 60 Millions de Consommateurs has highlighted a worrying reality : most of the products we consume contain pesticide residues banned in France and Europe.
A total of 16 problematic substances were found in 48 products tested. We take stock!
The tea is never washed…
The tea plant, the shrub from which our tea is grown, needs a warm, humid climate for optimum growth: a climate that is also favorable to the development of insects and fungi!
Numerous fungicides and insecticides are used to combat these undesirables.
Given that tea is not washed at any stage of its preparation, it’s not surprising to find pesticide residues in tea bags.
Green teas are the most contaminated
Green mint teas are the worst offenders. For example, Intermarché’s Cotterley green mint tea contains four unauthorized residues (insecticides)!
Black teas are no better, with three references containing a banned pesticide:
- Auchan Black Tea Breakfast,
- U Earl Grey,
- Twinings Original English Breakfast.
As far as herbal teas are concerned, the findings are less alarming. Only 1 reference, Lipton Green Tea Detox Infusion, contains a banned pesticide!
Black tea is full of glyphosate
30% of teas analyzed contain glyphosate: black tea tops the list! 11 of the 16 black tea references studied contained glyphosate residues, according to 60 Millions de Consommateurs.
The dangers of glyphosate on our health are not to be taken lightly! Studies suggest possible links with various health problems, and this herbicide may be potentially carcinogenic to humans.
Insects, plastic and rodent hair in your teas!
The list of foreign bodies found in the sachets is enough to spoil your appetite! A majority of whole or fragmented insects are found in organic products.
When it comes to herbal teas, rat hairs are legion. What’s more, the majority of organic herbal teas analyzed are not treated against insects and rodents.
Analysis of the herbal teas also revealed the presence of stony fragments and plastic!
Banned pesticides found in sachets
8 samples analyzed revealed the presence of substances banned in France and Europe. So be careful when drinking teas and herbal teas!