1. Is Japanese Tea safe?
In fact, it is. The first delivery of 2011 was immediately analysed by Eurofins Dr. Specht Laboratories in Hamburg, in order to check whether the tea is contaminated or not. All measures were positive, which means that the test results were below any detection limit and indicated as „not detectable“. From now on, AIYA will test all of its teas before bring them on the market.
AIYAs green tea originates from the prefecture Kagoshima in the south of Kyushu (located in southern Japan). Its tea estates are located approximately 1000 km air-line distance from Tokyo.
The radiation protection expert Prof. Dr. Ulrich Nöhle (Institute of Food Chemistry, University of Braunschweig) estimates the situation as follows: “AIYA carefully analysis all its teas by sending samples of its products before there were delivered AND when they arrive in the EU. Only tea tested to be absolutely safe will go on sale.”
In Germany and Europe the new harvest will come out starting in June. You can easily recognize the new harvests products having a Lot-Number bigger than 231900.
There is no reason to be afraid of contaminated green tea being imported to Europe and Germany!
2. What exactly does AIYA check?
Like for all other organic products AIYA has implemented strict standards for testing its tea. Not only pesticides, also heavy metals, microbiology, soil condition and other environmental influences are analysed by taking samples from the tea plants and the processed tea. These analysis were conducted by Specialist at Eurofins Dr. Specht Laboratories (Hamburg).
Thereby we can guarantee the tea to be 100% safe!
3. How is the analysis done?
Every batch was tested thoroughly by Eurofins Scientific Dr. Specht Laboratories in Hamburg. In order to analyse the concentrations of caesium-134, caesium-137 and iodine-131 the laboratories used the technology of gamma ray spectrometry, which is said to be very reliable.
4. There was found contaminated tea in one region of Japan. How do you assess the situation?
We do not Import any tea from the affected regios (Ibaraki, Tochigi, Chiba, Kanagawa und Shizuoka). This is, why our tea is 100% save. The fact, that they have found contaminated tea in these regions what not surprisingly to us, because they are close to Fukushima.
Prof. Dr. Ulrich Nöhle (Institute of Food Chemistry, University of Braunschweig) estimates the situation as follows: “Until now contaminated tea was found in five northern/central prefectures including the largest growing area Shizuoka. As the current harvest from Kagoshima is unpolluted, it can be consumed without hesitation. Only tea from licenced regions will be imported. Any concern is unnecessary.”
5. How can you guarantee, that the tea is not contaminated from now on?
The first harvest of 2011 is already finished and imported to Germany. It is stored in Hamburg. This year, there will be a second harvest in June and July that will be tested in August.
From now on, every single delivery will be analysed and controlled strictly by Eurofins Dr. Specht Laboratories. Only tea which is absolutely clean will go on sale. The test records will be forwarded to our clients as well as to any careful consumer.
In order to offer a maximum level of security to our customers, we only sell tea from Kyushu, which is located in the South of Japan. Its tea estates are located approximately 1000 km air-line distance from Tokyo.
Via the following link you can enlarge the map of Japan:
