Where Is Bigelow Tea Grown?

Bigelow has a reputation for producing high quality teas. Part of its reputation comes from being an American company, an identity that attracts customers looking to support the American economy while having a sense of how their products are sourced. 

However, some claims made by Bigelow about the source of their teas may be confusing to consumers. Bigelow may advertise that its products are American made, but explains that some ingredients in its teas are sourced from around the world.

What Are Bigelow Tea Bags Made Of?

According to the company’s promotional materials, Bigelow teas are made from a range of tea leaves and additional ingredients, from lemon peel to bergamot oil. Bigelow advertises that not only do the ingredients possess a high level of quality, but the packaging for the tea protects its quality, with each bag wrapped in a foil pouch to protect the tea from air, surrounding smells, and moisture.

Consumers who are attempting to discern the quality of their tea may ask questions not only about the type of tea itself, but about the packaging. Tea bags may contain chemicals that can be harmful, so Bigelow touts the safety of their bags and the lack of common chemicals present in the bag on its website. The company advertises its tea bags as being an oxygenated bag that does not contain chlorine, dioxin, or epichlorohydrin. 

The Kind Planet explains that epichlorohydrin is a chemical epoxy compound that is used to coat tea bags and improve their strength while wet. Allegedly, it is a strong skin irritant and the EPA has dubbed it a probable carcinogen.

Where Is Bigelow Tea Grown?

Bigelow touts that its tea is “manufactured in the USA 100% American Family owned.” However, the tea may not be made in the United States. The Bigelow website explains that some kinds of the tea are indeed made in the United States, while other varieties are sourced from around the world.

For instance, the Bigelow website explains that its mint teas are “pure, clean 100% American-grown spearmint.” Similarly, the lemon peels used in Bigelow teas are reportedly “100% grown in the USA to meet strict USDA, FDA, and California standards.”

The oil of bergamot present in other teas is reportedly sourced from Calabria, Italy, and the Ceylon tea featured by Bigelow is from Sri Lanka. 

 Why Is Bigelow Tea Claiming To Be American Made?

U.S. law reportedly requires all or virtually all of a product to be made in the United States for the product to be marketed as “made in the United States.” However, many ingredients in Bigelow teas may be sourced elsewhere. 

Despite the company’s possible sourcing of ingredients from around the world, Bigelow’s advertising centers on its identity as an American company. The website says the teas are “made in America, by an American family, for the American consumer.” The company calls itself the #1 specialty tea company in the United States. 

The company then goes on to describe its 120-acre Charleston Tea Plantation, while also citing its role in the Ethical Tea Partnership, an organization aiming to promote best practices in tea growth around the world.

Should You File a Bigelow Tea False Advertising Lawsuit?

Customers rely on accurate advertisements and statements to make good purchasing decision. Many customers value supporting companies made in the United States, either to have a better understanding of how their products are sourced, or to support local and national economies. In either case, many consumers may actively make purchasing decisions based on advertisements, and may specifically seek out American made products.

The U.S. government recognizes that consumers have specific assumptions and expectations when they read that a product is American made, and the Federal Trade Commission regulates the use of that “made in the USA” advertisement accordingly.

Some customers have made claims against companies who they say misrepresented a product as American made when it was made in another country. In some cases, customers have been able to claim legal compensation, saying that if they had had an accurate picture of the product and had known where it was sourced, they would not have purchased it or would not have paid as much for it.

Join a Bigelow Tea ‘Made in USA’ Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you have purchased one of the Bigelow Tea products listed above, the tea you purchased may not have been made in the USA like the labeling claimed, and you may qualify to participate in a Bigelow Tea ‘Made in USA’ class action lawsuit investigation.

Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize any potential recovery.

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This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.