Food Safety Standards

Tulameen Tea Company Co. – Food Safety Standards

At Tulameen Tea Company Co., ensuring the quality and safety of our luxury teas is a top priority. We are committed to maintaining rigorous safety protocols to deliver safe, dependable, and high-quality tea to our customers.

Food Safety Certifications and Protocols
Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT)
Our tea shipments comply with the C-TPAT program, introduced by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), to enhance the security of our supply chain. Through this certification, we maintain a secure environment with strict controls over who can interact with our tea products and at what stages.

Key Measures Include:

Regular hazard analysis testing
Comprehensive supplier screening in countries of origin
Background checks for all employees
Security checks on shipping containers and conveyance, exclusively through C-TPAT-certified carriers
FSSC 22000

We adhere to FSSC 22000 standards, recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), which provides us with an ISO-based food safety management system. FSSC 22000 integrates processes to minimize potential food safety hazards, using the following key principles:

Conducting hazard analyses
Identifying and controlling critical points in production
Setting stringent limits for hazard control
Constant monitoring at each production stage
Enacting corrective actions if hazards are detected
Documenting all procedures and actions
Verifying the effectiveness of our safety systems through annual audits and ongoing tests
Additional Global Measures
Proactive Safety Standards
We maintain a proactive approach by implementing strict self-imposed standards across our entire supply chain. Although not mandated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) or Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), our teas undergo rigorous testing for contaminants to ensure uncompromised safety.

Annual Visits to Suppliers

Our team conducts annual inspections of all supplier locations. If any discrepancies are found in safety procedures, suppliers risk being removed from our network. These visits cover:

Employee hygiene and health
Chemical usage controls
Allergen management and proper equipment handling
Certified Partners
Whenever possible, we choose suppliers that are third-party certified by food safety programs, including FSSC 22000, HACCP, BRC, and SQF.

Domestic Safety Measures

Routine Testing
All teas are routinely screened for hazardous materials. Our teas are also tested to stringent EU standards, with additional pre-shipment testing by our tea tasters, ensuring that only safe, high-quality products are approved for shipping.

Arrival and Production Sampling

Upon arrival, samples from each shipment are compared against pre-shipment samples to verify safety. Regular production sampling ensures ongoing quality and safety, with mock recalls conducted quarterly to test response readiness.

Quality Control Testing for Accessories

In addition to tea, all accessories undergo strict testing to confirm they meet USFDA-approved standards for food safety. For example, stainless steel infusers are tested to ensure they do not release harmful contaminants, adhering to 18/8 grade requirements.

At Tulameen Tea Company Co., we hold our products to the highest standards, so you can enjoy every cup with confidence.