Are you looking for the Master List of Ingredients to Avoid? It can be found here: http://go.livecornfree.com/list

Waiter, There’s Corn in my Tea!

Living Corn-Free takes a tremendous amount of label reading, research, and diligence. But it’s when allergen information is NOT labeled that it becomes disconcerting, as well as dangerous.

Corn in Tea

I was amazed to learn recently that the seemingly innocent term “biodegradable packaging” can be a sign that an allergen is involved.

I now know that “biodegradable packaging” is a tip-off for what is most likely, corn.

Enter today’s example: Mighty Leaf Tea uses Biodegradable and Green Packaging.
Mighty Leaf Tea Awarded Best New Packaging at SCAA Show - April 11, 2006 (San Rafael, CA) — Mighty Leaf Tea continues to forge a new path in the specialty tea category as the Specialty Coffee Association of America awarded them “Best New Packaging” for their new biodegradable tea pouches. Made of polylactic corn that is GMO-free, the new silken biodegradable pouches show off the tea leaves even more than the original silken mesh pouches did. Once the tea pouch has been wet, it will begin its course of biodegrading, which takes about a year.
Corn in Tea - Take Two

Lucky me, I happen to have a box of Mighty Leaf Tea, Organic African Nectar in my kitchen. What does the box say about the use of corn? The box simply states, “15 individually cello-wrapped biodegradable pouches.” That’s it. Where is the mention of corn on the box?

Be an informed consumer. When you see the words biodegradable packaging, research the nature. You will find this term now in use (along with possible use of corn) in many of the following items:
  • Tea Bags
  • Coffee Filters
  • Disposable Plates
  • Disposable Utensils
  • Paper Cups (now, lined with corn!)

What can you do about this? For starters, you can avoid using disposable products when there is an alternative option. When drinking loose leaf tea, I use a Finum Brewing Basket, which reduces waste (the reason I purchased it) by avoiding the use of tea bags, and is made with stainless steel mesh and plastic. My husband and I each have one and highly recommend them. I am currently researching permanent coffee filters and will be replacing our use of paper filters there as well.

Do you know of other brands who openly state their use of corn? Please comment and let me know!

6 comments:

  1. Wow, you have a great blog! Lots of good information. I will add your blog to my blog roll. Thanks for following my blog and I am now following you back.

    Jo

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you Jo! I enjoyed finding your blog today too, and look forward to reading ;)

    ~ Sharon | LiveCornFree

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi, Sharon,

    Would you mind posting your links to your new posts on The HFCS-FREE Challenge each time?

    Or can you add me to an email distribution list?

    R/,
    Jessica

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Jessica, sure!

    Also, you can sign up for the email distribution via Feedburner. Here is the link: http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=LiveCornFree

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow, I had no idea about coffee filters and this really concerns me since I brew some everyday. I'm trying to live a corn free life and if it's in that too, I'm really depressed about it. I hope you can find more info on that for a post another day.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Natalie,

    I haven't researched the coffee filters yet, but I will. I've struggled more with my corn allergy than anything else I think I ever have. It can be depressing, and is definitely difficult at times.

    I'm very glad you found this site though and I hope you come back and share information you learn with others. Please also feel free to speak up about anything! If you learn about items that are corn free, or find things that are not that upset you - please feel free to let me know.

    One thing we can NOT afford to do is sit quietly while the world continues to choke us on corn :-)

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts with Thumbnails