Tea may be a satisfying drink for people all over the world, but it’s also subject to a number of rules on food safety. In addition, there are also consumer matters to keep in mind. The regulations across the world market can vary widely, but they shouldn't be taken lightly. A renewed focus on sustainability and quality means that both regulators and customers are definitely looking to the label to get a better idea of what exactly lies inside.
There are a variety of important factors to consider if you’re appealing to a broad base of customers. Different countries and regions may have different rules about labels, so it might not be as straightforward as manufacturers believe it to be. Learn more about the best practices of tea labels, so you can get everything right the first time.
Chief Concerns
We might think of tea as a relatively safe beverage. However, because the leaves of the tea are so pivotal to the quality of the drink, the presence of pesticides or other forms of pollution can be quickly called into question. All tea companies need to be aware of the regulations across the board in order to stay in compliance.
To be aligned with regulations, here are a few key facts
Tea does not need labeling if it’s being sold inside a food premise (e.g., a restaurant, coffee house, etc.).
Tea does not need to be labeled if it is packaged in front of the customer.
Tea sold online does not need to be relabeled once the sale is complete.
For any other situations, there may need to be information regarding everything from residue levels to fairtrade information.
Food Safety
Tea is made from edible leaves that can become contaminated at any time along the supply chain. From insects to salmonella, foreign matter can quickly compromise the product. Monitoring may include both basic visual and microscopic checks. For instance, a quality check might reveal either an unseen toxin or half of a grasshopper’s body. Transparency on the label can provide more information to anyone with concerns.
Pesticides
Growing tea leaves may prompt the use of pesticides, even though it’s not recommended. Every governing body has its own policies when it comes to this matter, so tea manufacturers have to keep an eye on the residue levels that any chemicals may leave behind. These are new measures — particularly in certain areas of the world like the EU — to test the exact amount of pesticides left on leaves.
Information for Customers
Increasingly, people want to know exactly where their food is coming from. This is a natural response to globalization and a smart way for consumers to make better decisions about what they purchase. Tea labeling should state the quantity, nutrition, and all ingredients, so customers have all the facts in hand.
It’s also a good idea to learn more about what buyers are looking for before designing a label. For instance, you might hear buyers requesting more information about the potential benefits of tea. As long as you’re not making any dubious claims, this could be helpful information to include.
This is particularly true if you’re marketing to a certain type of customer. Some people will only want organic tea, so in addition to labeling your tea as organic, tea companies could also go into why organic soil is better than treated soil. They can choose any angle they'd like in this case, be it health, environmental sustainability, or general kindness to the planet.
Fairtrade Certification
The coffee and tea industry has received some degree of criticism for its practices. Workers might be exploited in the name of profits, and customers might be charged high prices for low-quality items. People want to know that the products they’re buying were ethically made.
This certification is a way to prove that business owners are meeting the world regulatory requirements. While standards do differ throughout the world based on everything from location to the type of tea (e.g., organic, etc.), it’s worth it for business owners to do their research, brag a little about their practices, and come out on top.
The Best Tea Labels
Tea labeling can be a tricky thing for many owners. In addition to all the information you need to put on it, there's also things like branding and aesthetics to consider. That's why finding the right printer for your labels can be the key to squeezing it all in.
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Tea may be a satisfying drink for people all over the world, but it’s also subject to a number of rules on food safety. In addition, there are also consumer matters to keep in mind. The regulations across the world market can vary widely, but they shouldn't be taken lightly. A renewed focus on sustainability and quality means that both regulators and customers are definitely looking to the label to get a better idea of what exactly lies inside.
There are a variety of important factors to consider if you’re appealing to a broad base of customers. Different countries and regions may have different rules about labels, so it might not be as straightforward as manufacturers believe it to be. Learn more about the best practices of tea labels, so you can get everything right the first time.
Chief Concerns
We might think of tea as a relatively safe beverage. However, because the leaves of the tea are so pivotal to the quality of the drink, the presence of pesticides or other forms of pollution can be quickly called into question. All tea companies need to be aware of the regulations across the board in order to stay in compliance.
To be aligned with regulations, here are a few key facts
Tea does not need labeling if it’s being sold inside a food premise (e.g., a restaurant, coffee house, etc.).
Tea does not need to be labeled if it is packaged in front of the customer.
Tea sold online does not need to be relabeled once the sale is complete.
For any other situations, there may need to be information regarding everything from residue levels to fairtrade information.
Food Safety
Tea is made from edible leaves that can become contaminated at any time along the supply chain. From insects to salmonella, foreign matter can quickly compromise the product. Monitoring may include both basic visual and microscopic checks. For instance, a quality check might reveal either an unseen toxin or half of a grasshopper’s body. Transparency on the label can provide more information to anyone with concerns.
Pesticides
Growing tea leaves may prompt the use of pesticides, even though it’s not recommended. Every governing body has its own policies when it comes to this matter, so tea manufacturers have to keep an eye on the residue levels that any chemicals may leave behind. These are new measures — particularly in certain areas of the world like the EU — to test the exact amount of pesticides left on leaves.
Information for Customers
Increasingly, people want to know exactly where their food is coming from. This is a natural response to globalization and a smart way for consumers to make better decisions about what they purchase. Tea labeling should state the quantity, nutrition, and all ingredients, so customers have all the facts in hand.
It’s also a good idea to learn more about what buyers are looking for before designing a label. For instance, you might hear buyers requesting more information about the potential benefits of tea. As long as you’re not making any dubious claims, this could be helpful information to include.
This is particularly true if you’re marketing to a certain type of customer. Some people will only want organic tea, so in addition to labeling your tea as organic, tea companies could also go into why organic soil is better than treated soil. They can choose any angle they'd like in this case, be it health, environmental sustainability, or general kindness to the planet.
Fairtrade Certification
The coffee and tea industry has received some degree of criticism for its practices. Workers might be exploited in the name of profits, and customers might be charged high prices for low-quality items. People want to know that the products they’re buying were ethically made.
This certification is a way to prove that business owners are meeting the world regulatory requirements. While standards do differ throughout the world based on everything from location to the type of tea (e.g., organic, etc.), it’s worth it for business owners to do their research, brag a little about their practices, and come out on top.
The Best Tea Labels
Tea labeling can be a tricky thing for many owners. In addition to all the information you need to put on it, there's also things like branding and aesthetics to consider. That's why finding the right printer for your labels can be the key to squeezing it all in.