Health

Canada Creek Tea Merchants Inc.^{^{^TM}}
Home, FreeInfo

Health Alert: Watch out for claims of "Organic" teas

Our policy:
Canada Creek Tea Merchants Inc. normally does not take an editorial stand on products or on services. However, we are concerned that many individuals may be paying more for teas which claim to be "organic". It is our position that a customer may spend his or her money as they choose. The belief in the benefits of a product can often be psychologically positive. By printing this item, we are not recommending any plan of action. The following is only a statement regarding our position.

At this point in time, Canada Creek Tea merchants does not carry any organic tea products. Our reasons are as follows:

1) Lack of Standards
There are no consistent standards for what constitutes an organic food product. This means that anyone can label a product as being "organic". Without standards, it becomes difficult to check the claims that are made regarding the method in which the product was grown. The degree to which a product is "organic" cannot be measured. For example, a sampling of media reports suggests that some growers consider the use of synthetic fertilizers to be organic, but pesticides to be inorganic. Others state it is how the product is treated through out its lifecycle. Others use it with the notion of proper treatment of labor in Developing Countries. Others use "natural" and "organic" interchangeably. Both words become even more ambiguous when used in this context.

2) Developing Nations: Lack of enforcement
Many food products come from Developing Countries which do not have strict enforcement of food product standards. In such countries, it becomes difficult to manage higher standards that may be required of an "organic" product. Tea is a hand picked product, grown mostly in Developing Nations countries. Over time, standards for making organic tea may develop, for now the enforcement of even basic living standards for workers is sometimes lacking.

3) Marketing Hype
The marketing of "organic" products is quite lucrative. A premium of 20-100% is not unusual for a product with an "organic" claim. It is no wonder that there is so much hype around "organic" and "natural" claims. The margins can be substantial. Given that a grocery store with regular products has a 2% margin, the lure of higher profits cannot be easily neglected.

Will Canada Creek eventually carry "organic" products?
Yes. Once we believe that there are adequate standards and an appropriate price point, we will consider adding a line of "organic" teas to our product portfolio. Though profitable, Canada Creek Tea Merchants is not interested in selling products claiming to be, but not proven to be "organic." Our customers come first.

What is our recommendation on "organic" products?
None. Each individual must choose how to spend their own money. It is not our place to recommend anything on this matter..

Table of Contents