The Tea Association works quietly behind the scenes to ensure an industry environment conducive to growth. Examples of recent projects include:
- Working with the EPA/FDA to broaden the base of approved Agricultural Chemical for use on tea.
- Working with our counter-parts in the UK and Canada, producing countries, as well as government institutions such as the FAO (United Nations) to develop Global Guidelines for the proper use of pesticides. This initiative will benefit both producers as well as consuming countries while protecting the interests of the end user.
- Establishing/redefining definitions for decaffeinated tea, White Tea, & Red Tea to prevent confusion in the marketplace.
- Refining the testing methodology for determining antioxidants in tea in order to allow our members to use a health message to increase their sales.
- Updating guidelines relative to “permissive” amounts of microorganisms in tea.
- Assisted a major fast food establishment in dealing with allegations that it was improperly preparing tea.
On a daily/yearly basis, the Tea Association office:
- Functions as the primary contact with the media to address their questions and to promote the consumption of tea.
- Functions as a clearinghouse for questions from the public and the trade in addition to directing customers to member companies.
- Executes a tea public relations plan, which generates between 600 million and one billion positive consumer impressions each year.
- Collects industry information from various sources and posts summaries of this information on our website for the use of our membership.
- Represents United States tea industry interests with domestic & foreign governments and at important global forums.
- Organizes periodic networking and educational events designed to train, communicate, and help members expand their list of industry contacts while raising awareness for their own businesses.
- Commissions custom research, disseminates information and prepares trend reports for the benefits of members.
- Helps raise awareness of members’ businesses by publishing articles and announcements in its quarterly newsletter – TeaBits.
