Teavana.com: $10 off $30 + Free Sample + Free shipping (no min) [Ends today]

In case anyone is interested, there was an equity research analyst who issued a strong sell rating for this company on the market due to some reports of elevated and/or potentially unsafe levels of pesticides in these teas. Just sharing: http://glaucusresearch.com/wp-con...0_2012.pdf

1. Selling the Healthy Lifestyle. Teavana’s brand is built on the perception that Teavana’s teas are healthier than other teas because they are pesticide free. The Company states in its SEC filings that it rigorously tests every batch of tea under EU pesticide standards. 98% of the salespeople at the 80 retail stores we called stated unequivocally that the Company’s teas are pesticide free. Watch our video (available here) for recordings of some of the phone calls.
2. Independent Lab Tests Indicate Consumer Fraud. As consumers of Teavana’s premium priced teas, we wanted to make sure we were drinking teas that are as healthy as the Company claims. So we sent thirteen of Teavana’s most popular teas to an accredited lab in Germany for testing. The lab is the world leader in food, pharmacological and environmental laboratory testing. Lab tests showed the following:
a. Pesticides Abound. 100% of the tea samples contained pesticides, many of which are classified by the EPA as Possible Human Carcinogens. One of Teavana’s most popular and expensive teas, Monkey Picked Oolong, was the most contaminated with 23 pesticides.
b. Teas Violate US Law. 100% of the tea samples violate U.S. food pesticide standards (CFR Title 40 sect 180), meaning they are ‘adulterated’ under the FDCA and subject to federal seizure. We believe Teavana will recall its adulterated teas rather than risk the civil and criminal liability it may incur by knowingly selling adulterated products over Black Friday weekend.
c. Broad Failure of EU Pesticide Tests. Contrary to Teavana's representations in its SEC filings, 77% of the tea samples failed the European Union pesticide import standards (EC 396/2005) for dry teas, meaning that such teas would be banned from sale to consumers in the European Union.
d. Banned Pesticides. 62% of teas tested showed traces of the pesticide Endosulfan, which has been banned by the US, China, the EU and 144 other countries because its use may impair fertility, cause harm to unborn children and other damage to agricultural workers.