Teas Tested for PFAS “Forever Chemicals” — Compilation Guide

Who are the safest tea brands without PFAS “forever chemicals?” This is the question that Mamavation has been attempting to answer for you by sending the most popular tea brands to our EPA-certified laboratory to test.  After all that testing, which tea brands and tea products do we recommend? You’ve trusted Mamavation to bring you topics like (1) safest cooking oils tested for phthalates, (2) safest coffees tested for pesticides, PFAS “forever chemicals,” and mycotoxins, and (3) safest protein powders tested for pesticides, PFAS “forever chemicals”, phthalates, and heavy metals, now join us for the safest teas without PFAS “forever chemicals.”

Disclosure: This consumer study is released in partnership with Environmental Health News. Donations were provided by Environmental Health News and Mamavation community members. Note that Mamavation has only “spot-checked” the industry and thus we cannot make predictions about brands and products that we have not tested. Products and manufacturing aides can change without notice so buyer beware. This post contains affiliate links, with some to Amazon, which means Mamavation will receive a portion of those sales and we will use that to pay ourselves back for the testing. You can also give a tax-deductible donation to our consumer studies here through Environmental Health Sciences. Thank you!  

Mamavation Found PFAS in Popular Teas

Mamavation has been testing several categories of teas for specific PFAS “forever chemicals,” and we thought it would be useful to bring you a synopsis of what was found thus far all together in one place. Note that some teas tested higher for PFAS compounds than others. The PFAS levels that were high enough to quantify are referred to as “quantifiable PFAS” and you’ll find all those results at the bottom of this post.

Here’s a quick synopsis of how much PFAS was found in each category:

• 91% of Earl Grey tea contained specific PFAS “forever chemicals,” and 25% of those teas had quantifiable PFAS.
• 54% of Chamomile tea contained specific PFAS “forever chemicals,” and 31% of those teas had quantifiable PFAS.
• 50% of green teas contained specific PFAS “forever chemicals,” and 33% of those teas had quantifiable PFAS.

PFAS “Forever Chemicals” Have Problematic Health Effects

PFAS “forever chemicals” are problematic for human health and the environment. They are considered ubiquitous, persistent, and toxic. Therefore, reducing the amount of PFAS you are exposed to from food, water, and other beverages like tea is imperative. Mamavation is dedicated to helping you do that when shopping for tea.

Here are some of the adverse health effects of different PFAS “forever chemicals:”

• Reduction in immunity
• Reduced vaccination response
• Increased risk of allergies & asthma in young children
• Affected growth, learning, and behavior of infants and older children
• Increases cholesterol levels
• Metabolic diseases like obesity & diabetes
• Cardiovascular disease
• Lowered a woman’s chance of getting pregnant
• Lowered male fertility
• Increased risk of kidney & testicular cancers
• Causes endocrine disruption
• Disrupted normal thyroid function
• Increases risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children 

It’s also very clear, based on biomonitoring evidence from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), that PFAS are in all Americans. Therefore, these exposures can harm most Americans.

Recent Studies on PFAS in Teas Have Demonstrated Widespread Contamination

The past five years have seen a flurry of studies looking at specific PFAS compounds and certain foods and beverages like tea. One study claimed that people who drank more tea were more likely to have higher levels of PFAS in their blood. Here are some recent examples of studies done on teas:

• In a study published in 2023, tea bags coming from India were found to contain PFOS, PFHxS, and PFNA present in the tea bag powder and tea bag material.
• In a study published in 2022, bubble tea was found to contain certain PFAS compounds at concerning levels.
• In a Japanese study published in 2021, PFAS was found in Japanese teas, among other products like bottled water and juice.
• Another study in 2021 found specific PFAS compounds in beer and tea.
• A study in 2020 found that coffee/tea was associated with higher plasma concentrations of specific PFAS as well.

Terrence Collins, Teresa Heinz Professor of Green Chemistry & Director of the Institute for Green Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University had this to say about the study: “This study looks at an important question for green tea drinkers. Are ‘forever chemicals’, PFAS compounds that the human body cannot break down and tends to hold on to, in the product contaminant profile? The results speak for themselves. No one wants to be ingesting PFAS when they drink green tea! It’s somewhat comforting that PFAS contamination is not universal, at least in Mamavation’s spot-testing. Green tea drinkers are now armed with the knowledge to send messages of approval or disapproval through their buying habits across the green tea business world.”

Mamavation’s Investigation of Earl Grey Tea, Chamomile Tea, & Green Tea and 40 Analyte PFAS Testing

Earl Grey Teas, Chamomile Teas, and Green Teas were purchased in 2024 and 2025. Each product was recorded in our database and sent directly to the lab within its original packaging.

Testing Loose Leaf Tea: Mamavation’s EPA-certified laboratory used method EPA 1633 to test for 40 PFAS compounds, including the following:

• Perflurobutanoic acid (PFBA)
• Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA)
• Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA)
• Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA)
• Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
• Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)
• Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA)
• Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA)
• Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA)
• Perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA)
• Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTeDA)
• Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS)
• Perfluoropentansulfonic acid (PFPeS)
• Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS)
• Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS)
• Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)
• Perfluoronanesulfonic acid (PFNS)
• Perfluorodecanesulfonic acid (PFDS)
• Perfluorododecanesulfonic acid (PFDoS)
• 1H,1H, 2H, 2H-Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (4:2FTS)
• 1H,1H, 2H, 2H-Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (6:2FTS)
• 1H,1H, 2H, 2H-Perfluorodecane sulfonic acid (8:2FTS)
• Perfluorooctanesulfonamide (PFOSA)
• N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamide (NMeFOSA)
• N-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamide (NEtFOSA)
• N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NMeFOSE)
• N-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoethanol (NEtFOSE)
• Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA)
• 4,8-Dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid (ADONA)
• Perfluoro-3-methoxypropanoic acid (PFMPA)
• Perfluoro-4-methoxybutanoic acid (PFMBA)
• Nonafluoro-3,6-dioxaheptanoic acid (NFDHA)
• 9-Chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanonane-1-sulfonic acid (9CI-PF3ONS)
• 11-Chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic acid (11CI-PF3OUdS)
• Perfluoro(2-ethoxyethane)sulfonic acid (PFEESA)
• 3-Perfluoropropyl propanoic acid (3:3FTCA)
• 2H,2H,3H,3H-Perfluorooctanoic acid (5:3FTCA)
• 3-Perfluoroheptyl propanoic acid (7:3FTCA)

 

Not Our Favorite Teas

Not Our Favorite Earl Grey

Our lab found quantifiable amounts of specific PFAS within these tea leaves. Of the 40 PFAS analytes tested for at least one was found. We also put brands here where we found over 200 ppm of total fluorine in the tea sachets.

• Allegro Tea Organic Floral Earl Grey Tea — 0.643 ng/g (ppb) PFPeA
  • Tea Bag — 14 ppm total fluorine
• Frontier Co-Op Earl Grey Black Tea Certified Organic Tea — 0.415 ng/g (ppb) PFPeA
  • No Tea Bag
• Numi Organic Black Tea Aged Earl Grey Assam Aged with Real Bergamot — <MRL PFPeA
  • Tea Bag — 522 ppm total fluorine
• Pique Miss Grey Black Tea Energy/Digestion Bioavailable Full Spectrum Tea Crystals — 0.401 ng/g (ppb) PFPeA, <MRL PFOA
  • No Tea Bag
• Stash Loose Leaf Double Bergamot Earl Grey — <MRL PFPeA
  • Tea Bag — 388 ppm total fluorine
• Taylors Earl Grey Leaf Tea Black Tea with Natural Oil of Bergamot — <MRL PFOA
  • Tea Bag — 260 ppm total fluorine

Not Our Favorite Chamomile

These products were sent off to an EPA-certified laboratory. The tea leaves were tested for 40 PFAS analytes and each product had positive results. The tea bags were tested for fluorine, a marker of PFAS “forever chemicals.”

• Bigelow Cozy Chamomile Herbal Tea — Tea Leaves: 2.37 PFBA ng/g, Tea Bag: Non-detect fluorine.
• Numi Organic Herbal Teasan Chamomile Lemon Sweet Flowers & Lemon Myrtle Tea — Tea Leaves: 0.78 PFBA ng/g & 0.478 6:2FTS ng/g, Tea Bag: Non-detect fluorine.
• PUKKA Chamomile, Vanilla, & Manuka Honey Blissful Calm Organic Tea — Tea Leaves: 0.32 PFBA ng/g, Tea Bag: Non-detect fluorine.
• Traditional Medicinals Organic Chamomile Supports Relaxation Tea — Tea Leaves: 0.97 PFBA ng/g, Tea Bag: Non-detect fluorine.

Not Our Favorite Green Tea

These products were sent off to an EPA-certified laboratory. The tea leaves were tested for 40 PFAS analytes, and each product had positive results.

• Pique Sun Goddess Matcha Green Tea Radiant Skin/ Energy Bioavailable Full Spectrum Ceremonial Grade — Tea Powder: PFPeA 0.226 ng/g, PFHpA 0.137 ng/g, PFBS <MRL. This product has no tea bag.
• The Republic of Tea The People’s Green Tea Daily — Tea Leaves: 0.206 PFOA ng/g
• Traditional Medicinals Organic Green Tea with Toasted Rice Matcha — Tea Leaves: 0.397 PFOA ng/g
• Yogi Green Tea Pure Green Supports Vitality — Tea Leaves: PFOA 0.103 ng/g

Better Teas

Better Earl Grey

Our lab could not find quantifiable amounts of specific PFAS compounds; however, they did find the presence of at least one specific PFAS compound within the tea leaves. This means the lab could detect PFAS, but it wasn’t in high enough amounts to determine how much was in there. If tea bags were available, our lab also tested those bags separately for total fluorine, which is an indicator of PFAS and fluoride combined.

• Harney & Sons Master Tea Blenders Earl Grey Flavored Black Tea — <MRL PFPeA
  • Tea Bag — 16 ppm total fluorine
• Mighty Leaf Organic Earl Grey Smooth Black Tea — <MRL PFPeA
  • Tea Bag — 15 ppm total fluorine
• Organic Positively Tea Company Earl Grey De La Creme Organic Black Tea, Natural Vanilla Flavoring, Organic Cornflowers and Natural Bergamot Flavoring — <MRL PFPeA
  • No Tea Bag
• The Republic of Tea Earl Greyer Full-Leaf Loose Black Tea Premium Quality Black Tea Leaves and Natural Oil of Bergamot — <MRL PFPeA, <MRL PFOA
  • Tea Bag — 18 ppm total fluorine
• Two Leaves and a Bud 50 Naked Sachets Earl Grey Whole Leaf Black Tea — <MRL PFPeA, <MRL PFHxA
  • Tea Bag — 21 ppm total fluorine

Better Chamomile

These products were sent off to an EPA-certified laboratory. The tea leaves were tested for 40 PFAS analytes and each product had positive results, however, the results were so small they were not quantifiable. The tea bags were tested for fluorine, a marker of PFAS “forever chemicals.” We also included one brand that did not have detectable PFAS, but had detectable fluorine in their tea bags.

• The Republic of Tea Super Herb Tea Organic Egyptian Chamomile — Tea Leaves: <MRL PFBA, Tea Bag: Non-Detect total fluoride.
• STASH Chamomile Caffeine-Free Herbal Tea — Tea Leaves: <MRL PFBA, Tea Bag: 16 ppm total fluorine
• Twinings Pure Camomile Pure Herbal Tea — Tea Leaves: <MRL 6:2FTS, Tea Bag: Non-detect total fluorine
• Yogi Comforting Chamomile Soothes Mild Tension Tea — Tea Leaves: Non-Detect PFAS, Tea Bag: 10 ppm total fluorine

Better Green Tea

These products were sent off to an EPA-certified laboratory. The tea leaves were tested for 40 PFAS analytes and each product had positive results, however, the results were so small they were not quantifiable.

• Bigelow Green Tea Certified Organic — Tea Leaves: PFNA <MRL
• Twinings Green Tea Jasmine — Tea Leaves: 6:2FTS <MRL, ADONA <MRL

Best Teas

Best Earl Grey

Our lab determined no PFAS compounds were found in the Earl Grey tea leaves. However, the tea bags had detectable fluorine.

• FGO Organic Earl Grey Loose Leaf Tea Plant-Based Full-Bodied Flavor with a Touch of Bergamot — Non-detect
  • Tea Bag — 17 ppm total fluorine

Best Chamomile

These products were sent off to an EPA-certified laboratory. The tea leaves were tested for 40 PFAS analytes and each product had non-detect results. The tea bags were tested for fluorine, a marker of PFAS “forever chemicals,” and also had non-detect results.

• Celestial Seasonings Chamomile Herbal Tea — Tea Leaves: Non-detect PFAS, Tea Bag: Non-detect total fluorine
• From Great Origins (FGO) Organic Chamomile Tea Bags — Tea Leaves: Non-detect PFAS, Tea Bag: Non-detect total fluorine
• RISHI Chamomile Medley Organic Botanical Blend Tea Sachet — Tea Leaves: Non-detect PFAS, Tea Bag: Non-detect total fluorine (Use discount code “MAMAVATION15” for 15% off products!) 
• Taylors of Harrogate Organic Chamomile Caffeine-Free Herbal Infusion Tea — Tea Leaves: Non-detect PFAS, Tea Bag: Non-detect total fluorine
• TAZO Organic Calm Chamomile Herbal Tea — Tea Leaves: Non-detect PFAS, Tea Bag: Non-detect total fluorine

Best Green Tea

These products were sent off to an EPA-certified laboratory. The tea leaves were tested for 40 PFAS analytes and each product had non-detect results.

• From Great Origins (FGO) Organic Green Tea Bags — Tea Leaves: Non-detect PFAS
• Harney & Sons Nourishing Green Tea Japanese Sencha — Tea Leaves: Non-detect PFAS
• Numi Organic Green Tea Gunpowder Green Full-Bodied and Gently Rolled — Tea Leaves: Non-detect PFAS
• Pukka Spreme Matcha Green Daily Power — Tea Leaves: Non-detect PFAS
• Rishi Jasmine Organic Scented Green Tea Sencha — Tea Leaves: Non-detect PFAS (Use discount code “MAMAVATION15” for 15% off products!) 
• TAZO Organic Zen Regenerative Green Tea — Tea Leaves: Non-detect PFAS