Organic, heavy metals, pesticides, etc.

How safe are Japanese teas? About organic seals, laws and common sense

One of the most frequent questions we receive is: “Can you provide us with current laboratory reports on heavy metals, pesticides or residues in your teas?”

Understandable, because tea drinkers are conscious people. But a quick reality check helps: we are talking about amounts of tea that are tiny compared to the rest of your daily diet.

A few grams of tea per day – and all the worry?

Whether Matcha, Sencha or Hōjicha: a typical serving of tea weighs only a few grams. Even heavy tea drinkers rarely exceed 100 grams of dried leaves per month – that is 0.1 kilograms.

By comparison, an adult consumes daily 1.5 to 2.5 kilograms of food. That adds up to as much as 75 kilograms per month. The share of tea in this? Statistically irrelevant.

And yet, it is precisely here that analyses are requested again and again. But honestly: do you ask your local baker for a lab test of flour? Or at the café for a report on residues in your coffee? Hardly.

Organic certification – checked every year

Japan Tea Shop and our partner companies in Japan are certified according to the EU organic regulation. This means:

• Annual inspections by independent authorities,
• comprehensive requirements for cultivation, processing, storage and transport,
• significant costs which we consciously bear, because transparency is essential.

The entire supply chain – from the tea field in Japan to your cup – is regularly monitored and documented.

And even for teas without an organic seal: they are of course safe.

All our products – whether organic certified or not – must comply with the strict EU limits for food safety. If we were to violate these laws, fines, license withdrawal or even criminal prosecution would be the consequence. In other words: what is sold here is exclusively safe food.

By the way, you can view our current organic certificate at any time directly in the official EU TRACES system:

View EU organic certificate

Japanese tea culture – not a mass product

Our teas come exclusively from Japan – a country with food laws as strict as those in Europe. And unlike coffee, bread or rice, Japanese teas are not mass products. They are part of a centuries-old culture that sets the highest standards of purity, processing and taste.

Conclusion with a wink

Japanese tea is a pleasure, not a risk experiment. Whether Sencha, Gyokuro or Matcha – you receive tested, safe foods. And to be honest: nobody demands a laboratory analysis for every breakfast roll. So why for tea?

Conclusion: Drink your Japanese tea with confidence – and perhaps with a small smile about the absurdity of some questions.

FAQ Safety and Certification of Our Japanese Teas

JapanTeaShop stands for high-quality teas from Japan. Many customers ask about certificates, lab analyses and limit values. Here you will find clear answers with a reference to the official EU system for organic certificates.

View the current organic certificate directly in the EU TRACES system: Go to certificate

Are Japanese teas from JapanTeaShop safe?

Yes. Our teas comply with the EU regulations for food safety. For organic certified teas, there is additional control according to the EU organic regulation. The inspection bodies audit us and our partners in Japan regularly, usually once per year. In short: you are drinking a legally flawless food.

What does organic certification actually mean?

Organic is not a pretty sticker, but a system with strict rules. It covers cultivation, processing, storage and transport. We and our partner companies are regularly and independently inspected. This costs a noticeable four-digit sum every year and obliges us to maintain transparent processes from the tea farm to your cup.

And teas without the organic seal?

Even teas without the organic seal are safe. They must comply with the legal limits of the EU. If we were to sell goods that exceed these limits, severe sanctions would follow, up to and including withdrawal of our business license. In other words, what you find on our shelves is legally compliant and safe.

Why do some customers ask for lab reports especially for tea?

Good question. Tea is a natural premium product that deserves attention. At the same time, the consumed quantity is small. Many people demand proof here of all places, but not for much larger everyday products such as bread, fruit or coffee. That is selective, to say the least. We therefore rely on verifiable standards rather than piles of paper per cup.

How much tea is consumed compared to other foods

Typical serving sizes are small. Even if you drink a lot of tea, you rarely exceed 50–100 grams of dry leaves per month. An adult consumes on average 1.5 to 2.5 kilograms of food per day, that is 45 to 75 kilograms per month. The share of tea is statistically negligible.

What about pesticide residues

In organic tea, synthetic chemical pesticides are excluded in cultivation. In addition, there are legal limits and inspections. For conventional teas, our partners in Japan and EU import controls ensure that the legal requirements are met. The result: tea that reaches us is marketable and safe.

And heavy metals such as lead or cadmium

Clear limits also exist for these. The combination of site selection, cultivation practices, processing and legal controls ensures that products exceeding these values do not even enter the market. When you buy our teas, this hurdle has already been cleared.

Radioactivity in Japanese tea

For years, Japanese foods, especially tea, have been subject to particularly close monitoring. Exports to the EU are controlled. Our assortment comes from regions and producers with impeccable results. A product that does not meet the requirements would not even be allowed to cross the border.

Where do the teas come from

Exclusively from Japan. The country has strict food laws and a pronounced culture of quality. Sencha, Gyokuro, Hōjicha, Matcha and other Japanese teas are not mass products but high-quality goods with careful processing.

How do we ensure quality in everyday practice

• Selection of trusted partners with documented processes
• Regular audits within the framework of organic certification
• Verification of documents on harvest, processing and shipping
• Lot-specific storage and clear traceability

Does preparation matter for safety and enjoyment

Yes. Fresh water, the right temperature and clean utensils are important. For green tea we generally recommend water well below boiling. For Matcha, fine sieving of the powder, clean water and a well-maintained chasen are suitable. Care in preparation not only improves taste, it also prevents unnecessary contamination from poorly cleaned pots or pipes.

How should tea be stored

Cool, dry, dark and airtight. Oxygen, light, moisture and heat are the enemies of delicate aromas. Once opened, we recommend consuming soon. Whole leaves stay fresh longer in sealed packs, Matcha as powder reacts faster to environmental influences and should be used up more quickly.

Caffeine, children and pregnancy

Green tea contains natural caffeine. Sensitive individuals, children or pregnant women should monitor their total intake from all sources. Please consult medical professionals if in doubt. We do not provide medical advice but we are transparent about the caffeine content.

Do I receive an individual lab report for every package

No. We rely on the established system of law, control and certification. More important than a single piece of paper per bag is the reliability of the entire chain from the tea farm to you.

Where can I view your organic certificate

Directly in the official EU TRACES system. Access is public, and you can view and download the certificate at any time. Go to certificate

What should I do if I still have a complaint

Please contact us, ideally with batch information and a photo. We will review the case immediately and find a solution. For us, service means fairness without ifs and buts.

The short answer for the impatient

• Our teas are safe and legally compliant
• Organic teas are additionally certified according to the EU organic regulation
• Tea quantities in everyday life are small, panic is unnecessary
• If you wish, you can check the certificate in the EU TRACES system

Further questions or a consultation about Sencha, Gyokuro, Hōjicha or Matcha
Just write to us. We will answer competently and without jargon.