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Ceylon Organic Tea

What are organic products?

Organic products are produced using organic agricultural practices, whether it be fresh or processed. Genetically modified organisms are not used in the production of organic food. Organic crops are cultivated without the use of synthetic chemicals like pesticides and fertilizers manufactured by humans (GMOs). Along with packaged goods like crackers, beverages, and frozen dinners, organic foods also include fresh fruit, meats, and dairy items. Since the end of the 20th century, the market for organic food has rapidly expanded, becoming a multibillion-dollar business with unique production, processing, distribution, and retail systems.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) was mandated to create national organic standards under the Organic Food Production Act (OFPA), which Congress approved in 1990. Regulations established by the National Organic Program (NOP) and OFPA mandate that goods bearing the “organic” label come from farms or processing facilities that have been approved by either state- or privately-run organizations that have received USDA accreditation.

The laws additionally specify that none of the following may be used in production or processing by farms or handling facilities:

  • Genetic Engineering
  • Ionizing Radiation
  • Sewage Sludge

Genetic Engineering

In order to alter an organism or population of organisms, genetic engineering involves,

  • Artificial manipulation
  • Alteration
  • Recombination of DNA

Recombinant DNA technology techniques that were developed as a result of fundamental studies in microbial genetics are commonly referred to as genetic engineering.

Examples of goods produced using genetic engineering techniques

  • Human insulin
  • Human growth hormone
  • Hepatitis B vaccination

 Other genetically engineered species including disease-resistant plants have also been created using these techniques.

Ionizing Radiation

Ionizing radiation is a flow of energy that takes the shape of atomic and subatomic particles or electromagnetic waves and has the power to liberate an atom’s electrons, leaving the atom charged (or ionized). Ionizing radiation encompasses subatomic particles including electrons, neutrons, and alpha particles as well as the more energetic end of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Sewage Sludge

Sewage sludge is a by-product of the sewage treatment of municipal or industrial wastewater. It is a residual, semi-solid substance. Sludge from basic wastewater treatment is also referred to as “septage,” but it is associated with basic on-site sanitation systems like septic tanks.

In an hour and a half after entering the main settling tank, fresh sewage or wastewater, roughly 50% of the suspended solid matter will have settled out. Before anaerobic processes start to take place, a group of materials known as raw sludge or primary solids is considered to be “fresh.” Before anaerobic bacteria gain control of the sludge, it must be removed from the sedimentation tank since putrescence will soon follow.

Organic crops should grow without the use of most conventional pesticides, Petroleum-based fertilizers, and sewage sludge-based fertilizers.

What is Ceylon Organic Tea?

Since the commencement of the Ceylon Tea Industry, Sri Lankan tea growers have placed a high priority on sustainability and the maintenance of the ecology that supports tea plantations. In order to give a purer flavor that is also beneficial to the environment, Ceylon Tea farmers have recently chosen organic tea cultivation in keeping with the traditions of sustainability and conservation.

The Organic Ceylon Tea is free of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers thanks to the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement (IFOAM) and certifications from the USDA Organic, ECOCERT IMO, and Control Union Certifications. Additionally, organic Ceylon tea meets with European Economic Community (EEC 2092/91) and Japanese Agriculture Standards (JAS) certifications (EU).

Benefits of Ceylon Organic Tea

  • Good for health
  • Environmental friendly
  • Good for farmers and workers on the plantation

Organic Tea Cultivation in Ceylon

To increase production, organic tea growers in Sri Lanka rely on biodiversity, natural ecological processes, and agricultural cycles that are adjusted to the region’s climatic and ecological circumstances. Today, there are other smaller, organic single-origin tea estates spread out around the nation.

In comparison to the bigger Ceylon Tea Industry, which is one of the most lucrative in the world, organic tea farming in Sri Lanka is still in its infancy. It is mostly found in the Dimbula and Uva regions.

The majority of Sri Lanka’s organic tea estates have made the switch to entirely organic and biodynamic agriculture, recycling resources via the use of cover crops, intercropping, and recycling of both plant and animal waste.

As per the guidelines for sustainable management set forth by the Rainforest Alliance, some tea plantations have gone above and beyond the adoption of environmentally friendly practices to incorporate indigenous plant species within the plantation. This has prompted the return of native fauna to these ecosystems.

Rules and Regulations for Importing Organic Goods

  • The OFPA mandates that the USDA evaluate the certification schemes used to manufacture imported organic goods.
  • Foreign certifying agents must seek USDA accreditation.
  • Under NOP regulations and with USDA permission, foreign governments may evaluate and accredit certifying agents in place of USDA certification.
  • Instead of certification, the US and the government of a foreign nation may agree on an equivalence agreement.

Organic Labelling Standards

Requirements for Organic Labelling

  • Food safety
  • Contaminants in food
  • Maximum Pesticide Residue Levels in Food
  • Consumer labeling
  • Extraction solvents

Organic tea labeling standards for Ceylon tea

Lion Logo (From Sri Lanka Tea Board)

The Sri Lankan Tea Board owns the Lion Logo, which is a sign of superiority. By doing so, pure Sri Lankan tea may be distinguished from other teas of several origins.

BRCGS

The BRCGS standard ensures that quality, safety, and operating standards are standardized, that manufacturers comply with regulatory requirements, and that consumers are protected. The Global Food Safety Initiative, or GFSI, has adopted BRC standards, which cover the critical components that organizations must have in place to assure the safe manufacture of a product.

ISO 22000:2018

The standards for a food safety management system are outlined in ISO 22000.  It outlines what an organization must undertake to prove its capacity to handle food safety risks and guarantee the safety of food. By coordinating the legislative and regulatory requirements across the whole food supply chain, this aids in the establishment of a more focused, coherent, and integrated food safety management system.

HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point)

When included in an active food safety program, the internationally recognized Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) approach may provide consumers, the general public, and regulatory agencies confidence that a food safety program is properly managed.

GAP (Good Manufacturing Practices)

A system known as good manufacturing practices (GMP) makes sure that products are regularly made and monitored in accordance with the required quality standards. All stages of the manufacturing process are covered by GMP to prevent hazards that could be harmful to the items being produced.

Rainforest Alliance

The Rainforest Alliance is committed to preserving biodiversity and advancing ecologically sound and socially responsible agricultural methods. With the help of this accreditation, tea farmers can develop their estates into resilient, lucrative enterprises that value their employees and the environment.

USDA Organic

Organic certification enables manufacturers to sell, market, and advertise their products as organic by confirming that plantations or handling facilities adhere to the organic rules. Organic farmers use as many natural ingredients and planting techniques that are physical, mechanical, or biologically based as they can.

SLS (Sri Lankan Standards)

A third-party assurance of a product’s quality is provided by the SLS mark scheme, a program for product certification. It is a mark that, when it appears on a product or is associated with a product, indicates that the Sri Lanka Standards Institution has certified the product to the fact that it was made in accordance with the applicable Sri Lanka Standards.

Ceylon Organic Tea Varieties

  • Black Tea
  • White Tea
  • Green Tea
  • Herbal Tea (Ranawara Tea, Gotukola Tea, Moringa Tea, Coriander Tea, Bael Flower Tea, Hibiscus Tea)
  • Organic Tea
  • Flavored Tea
  • Tea in Bulk

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