Dragonfly Tea
Partly verifiedDragonfly Tea isn't doing enough to protect workers: there's no proof workers earn a living wage, and unions and workers' rights are heavily restricted in the countries tea usually comes from, such as India and China. It does have some safeguards, as it says it buys directly from producers at agreed prices.
Last researched 8 October 2026
Not doing enough. Workers in the supply chain are likely underpaid, unprotected or in danger, and in the worst cases face forced or child labour. Look for a better-graded alternative. What this grade means
Good: 1 of 5
- Pays a living wage
- Respects worker rights
- Full supply chain audit, or made only in countries with rigorous labour standards
- No child or forced labour findings
- Publishes where its products are made (supplier list, named farms or its own factories)
Great: 0 of 3
- Pays beyond a living wage
- Finds and fixes problems, or invests directly in workers' communities
- Actively empowers workers
Needs all Good requirements plus two of these.
Red flags: 1
- Hidden or unaudited supply chain (no certification or documentation, or major production in countries with poor worker rights without independent audits)
Where it's made: not disclosed
Showing where tea products are usually made instead.
| Country | Worker rights | Legal wages | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| India 30% | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | High |
| Kenya 25% | Regular violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| Sri Lanka 20% | Regular violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| China 15% | Systematic violations | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| Malawi 5% | Some protections | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| Indonesia 5% | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
Country conditions from the ITUC Global Rights Index, Global Slavery Index and living wage benchmarks. Certifications and audits can raise a company above its countries' baseline.
Why this grade
- Tea estate wages in Assam, Sri Lanka and Kenya are among the lowest of any export crop, often paid partly in kind (housing, rations). (partly offset by certification or direct sourcing)
- Certified organic: Organic certification has no labour criteria beyond basics.
- Direct trade (self-reported)
Dragonfly is a small family-run British tea brand based in Newbury, owned by Tea Times Trading Ltd. It was founded by Bruce Ginsberg, whose family has traded South African rooibos since the 19th century, and its sister brand is Tick Tock rooibos. Its teas are certified organic by the Organic Food Federation, and it says it works directly with farmers where possible. Products name origins such as Yunnan in China, Darjeeling in India and South Africa for rooibos and honeybush, but no tea gardens are named, no prices paid are published and it holds no Fairtrade or Rainforest Alliance certification. India's tea is on the US Department of Labor list for forced labour.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| US Department of Labor goods lists | Found | Tea from India, one of Dragonfly's origins, is on the 2024 US Department of Labor list for forced labour; Chinese tea and South African rooibos are not listed. View ↗ |
| Fairtrade (incl. FLOCERT and Fairtrade ANZ) | Not listed | Dragonfly teas are not Fairtrade certified. View ↗ |
| B Corp directory | Not listed | Not shown as a Certified B Corp. View ↗ |
| UK Modern Slavery Statement Registry | Not listed | No modern slavery statement found; as a small company it is likely below the £36m reporting threshold. View ↗ |
| Business & Human Rights Resource Centre | Not listed | No allegations involving Dragonfly Tea found on the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre. View ↗ |
Sources (9)
- Dragonfly tea - Ethical Superstore blog · archived copy · Family-owned British company; works directly with farmers where possible; Speciality range certified by the Organic Food Federation; describes itself as a member or supporter of fair trade groups with
- Dragonfly - The Good Shopping Guide · archived copy · Owned by Tea Times Trading Ltd; founded by Bruce Ginsberg, now run by his daughter Georgia; organic certified by the Organic Food Federation; not Fairtrade certified; rated Poor on Fairtrade and Ethic
- Dragonfly Organic Digestive Puer - Ocado · archived copy · Leaves grown in Yunnan, China; EU organic code GB-ORG-04; no Fairtrade or Rainforest Alliance logo; Dragonfly Teas, PO Box 125, Newbury
- Dragonfly Organic Himalaya Darjeeling Black Tea - Premcrest · archived copy · Range includes an organic Darjeeling (India) black tea
- Rooibos and green tea additions from Dragonfly Teas - The Caterer · archived copy · Honeybush sourced from South Africa
- Rooibos tea's Jewish roots run deep - SA Jewish Report · archived copy · Bruce Ginsberg, based in Newbury, founded Dragonfly Tea; Tick Tock is its sister brand; family history in Clanwilliam rooibos
- Tea Times Trading Ltd - Escape the City · archived copy · Family-owned British company behind Tick Tock, Dragonfly Tea and Eleven O'Clock
- TEA TIMES HOLDINGS LIMITED - Companies House · archived copy · Active UK holding company, registered in Salisbury
- 2024 List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor - US DOL · archived copy · Tea from India listed for forced labour; China tea, rooibos and honeybush not listed
Last researched 8 October 2026 · details still being verified. Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Represent this company and think something is wrong? A right-of-reply form is coming soon.