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On December 15, 2017, we filed suit against R.C. Bigelow, Inc., makers of Bigelow brand tea products, after tests revealed the presence of glyphosate, the active ingredient in Monsanto's Roundup® weedkiller in Bigelow tea products.

The lawsuit, filed in Washington D.C. under the DC Consumer Protection Procedures Act, alleges that Bigelow miseleads consumers by labeling its tea product "All Natural" and marketing its brand as "socially responsible" when the products contain glyphosate.

In response, Bigelow posted a statement on its website. Here is our response to that statement.

Washington, DC – The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) filed suit against R.C. Bigelow, Inc., for the deceptive labeling and marketing of tea products under the Bigelow brand name, including Bigelow’s Green Tea. The suit was filed in Washington D.C. under the District of Columbia’s Consumer Protection Procedures Act.

OCA alleges that Bigelow Tea puts the words “All Natural” on its Classic Green Tea and other tea products, and also represents its products and the company as being “environmentally friendly” even though Bigelow’s Green Tea tested positive for glyphosate, the active ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup® weedkiller.

“Like other companies that market their products as ‘natural’ and ‘environmentally friendly,’ Bigelow is using these terms to profit from growing consumer demand for healthier, more sustainably produced products, even though the company knows those claims are false,” said Ronnie Cummins, international director of the Organic Consumers Association.

Health experts say drinking tea, especially green tea, is good for us.

If that’s true, drinking “All Natural” green tea must be even better, right? 

Not necessarily—especially if that “All Natural” green tea contains glyphosate, the active ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup®.

TAKE ACTION: Tell Bigelow: There’s Nothing ‘Natural’ about Monsanto’s Roundup® Weedkiller in My Cup of Tea!

Nothing ‘natural’ about weedkiller in your tea—and Bigelow knows it

Bigelow knows there’s glyphosate in its tea. 

Yet instead of warning consumers, the company misleads consumers by labeling some of its teas “Natural” or “All Natural.”

Why? Because the tea maker knows the words “natural” and “all natural” drive sales.

Ronnie Cummins, international director of the Organic Consumers Association (OCA), said this today in response to a lawsuit filed against the nonprofit by Handsome Brook Farm:

“This lawsuit is a reactionary attempt to distract from a lawsuit filed last year by OCA against Handsome Brook. That lawsuit seeks to address Handsome Brook’s sale of eggs labeled ‘Pasture Raised’ when in fact they are not, in violation of the D.C. Consumer Protection Procedures Act (DCCPPA).

“OCA stands by its lawsuit, which the D.C. Superior Court ruled in January could proceed. In denying Handsome Brook’s motion to dismiss, the D.C. Superior Court held that OCA made clear allegations concerning Handsome Brook’s misrepresentation of its eggs as ‘Pasture Raised’ in violation of the DCCPPA.

Who does Trump want to become the country’s top regulator of toxic chemicals?

Michael Dourson, a guy who previously ran a consulting company that defended toxic chemicals on behalf of companies like Monsanto, Dow Chemical, DuPont—even the Koch Industries.

TAKE ACTION: Don’t Put a Monsanto Hire in Charge of Chemical Safety!

When companies like Monsanto or DowDuPont fear the public is getting wise to the dangers of their toxins, they turn to “scientists” who are willing to manufacture their own science to help corporations hide the ugly truth. 

Michael Dourson is one of the most shameless of these hired guns when it comes to sacrificing public health in favor or protecting corporate profits.