Up to 16 different pesticides ‘pollute’ tea and herbal teas, along with traces of insects, plastic and rodent hairs. This is the result of the test conducted by the magazine 60 millions de consommateurs on 48 products on supermarket shelves. (1)
The experts of the French consumer monthly have selected once again – after 5 years from a previous investigation on the subject (1) – different brands of black tea, mint green tea and two herbal teas, one verbena, the other detox.
Alongside the French distributor brands, the sample includes the most well-known industrial brands, also available in Italy: Auchan, Twinings, Lipton, Clipper, Lord Nelson from Lidl (see table at the bottom of the page).
Pesticides banned in Europe
The pesticide research (770 molecules) identified 3 neonicotinoids, 3 other insecticides and one fungicide banned in Europe in 8 tea samples.
The worst result is from mint green teas. 5 products out of 12 contain residues above the maximum allowed threshold.
The worst is the Cotterley green tea from Intermarché, which contains residues of 4 unauthorized pesticides, two neonicotinoids (acetamiprid and thiacloprid) and two other insecticides chlorfenapyr and bifenthrin). Following are Britley from E. Leclerc (3 residues) and Twinings (2 residues).
In black teas there is a pesticide banned in Europe in 3 products: Auchan, U and Twinings.
The same happens in Lipton's detox herbal tea. Except for this negative exception, herbal teas appear 'cleaner', perhaps because they are harvested in a natural environment. The selected ones come from France and Morocco.
Only organic teas do not contain any pesticide residues.
Glyphosate in 30% of the sample
The analyses have also confirmed the presence of authorized pesticide residues in the EU for another couple of years. Glyphosate, the most used herbicide, has its usage authorization expiring at the end of 2022. Its toxicity to consumers has been underestimated so far by institutions. On the contrary, the toxicity affecting agricultural workers is now confirmed, as stated by the UN (2017) and by lawsuits in the USA that have led to million-dollar compensations for cancer-ill workers.
Glyphosate was found in 30% of the analyzed products. The most contaminated are black teas, 11 out of 16. It is also found in Lipton green tea and in 5 verbena-based infusions: Elephant, Carrefour, Tisea, Casino bio and Lord Nelson from Lidl. The latter also contains problematic molecules, such as anthraquinone, which is irritating and laxative. The companies questioned by 60 millions de consummateurs declared that their suppliers do not use anthraquinone-based pesticides. Its presence could stem, they say, from the leaf drying phase which promotes its natural formation.
Foreign bodies
Another unpleasant element is the presence of foreign bodies. It is unpleasant to know about the presence of plastic or stone fragments, whole or partial insects, and rodent hairs. However, apart from the repulsion, these are ‘pollutants’ harmless to humans.
Almost all of impurities are biological in nature, with organic references more affected by the presence of whole or partial insects. Black teas are less affected, infusions much more so, where rodent hairs were also found. The predominance of organic products among samples with biological traces is related to the absence of pesticide use, as well as the wild environment of herb harvesting.
Less pleasant is the presence of rock and plastic fragments, especially in verbena infusions. Regarding plastic, it is hypothesized that the fragments found come from the herb transport sacks.
Heavy metals
Heavy metals research The research was positive. Arsenic, cadmium and lead are present only in traces, with virtually no health risks.
The presence of heavy metals is regulated only for tea, not for infusions. And in the sample, only one product – Nutrisanté detox herbal tea – contains detectable amounts of mercury, although below the limit threshold.
Carcinogenic alkaloids
More important is the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA), molecules plants develop to defend themselves from herbivores. Some of these substances are recognized as carcinogenic in the long term.
For some of these alkaloids, from July 2022 stricter limits come into force: 150 micrograms per kg. This is established by regulation (EU) 2020/2040, which however introduces a transitional period until 31.12.23.
This (new) limit is exceeded by two products: La Vie Claire green tea (3,900 micrograms per kg) and – by a large margin – Auchan black tea (200 micrograms per kg).
About half of the other black teas are affected by the presence of these alkaloids, with amounts ranging from 5.6 to 100 micrograms per kg (for Lipton's Rich Earl Grey).
Polyphenols, a sign of quality
Polyphenols are mainly present in fresh tea, that is green tea. They are highly appreciated for their antioxidant properties, also useful in the prevention of cancer and cardiovascular diseases, as well as for the immune system.
In the sample, polyphenols are more present in Clipper and Terra Etica teas (455 mg of polyphenols per cup). Conversely, Pagès, Carrefour Bio, Lord Nelson and Twinings contain less than 300 mg/cup.
The best and worst of the test
The best and worst of the test are summarized here citing only the products easily available also in Italy.
Marta Strinati
Notes
(1) Patricia Chairopoulo. Too many pesticides in tea and herbal tea bags! 60 millions de consommateurs, 24.2.22. https://www.60millions-mag.com/2022/02/24/trop-de-pesticides-dans-les-sachets-de-et-de-tisanes-19757
(2) Marta Strinati. Tea with pesticides. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 17.11.17, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/salute/tea-with-pesticides
Professional journalist since January 1995, she has worked for newspapers (Il Messaggero, Paese Sera, La Stampa) and magazines (NumeroUno, Il Salvagente). Author of journalistic investigations on food, she published the book 'Reading labels to know what we eat'.
