New, stronger labeling regulations become law for māmaki tea grown in Hawai‘i

Hawai‘i Gov. Josh Green at the end of June signed Act 242 — which became law July 1 — strengthening labeling requirements for māmaki tea grown in Hawai‘i.

The new law prohibits the use of certain words and misleading Hawaiian imagery, place names and motifs on the label of a consumer package that says it contains or includes tea or dried leaves from Hawai‘i māmaki plants, Pipturus albidus, unless 100% of the tea or dried leaves from the māmaki is actually grown in Hawai‘i.

“Mahalo to Gov. Green and our legislators, especially Rep. Kirstin Kahaloa, who introduced the bill and was instrumental in getting this bill passed to protect the state’s māmaki growers,” said Hawai‘i Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity Chairperson Sharon Hurd in a announcement about the new law, specifically naming Big Island state lawmaker Kahaloa, who represents House District 6. “The department will be providing further guidance on what is required of māmaki processors and manufacturers to comply with the new law.”

Under Act 242, in order for a product to be labeled as containing māmaki,

The new law stipulates that all māmaki contained in a product claiming it contains Hawai‘i-grown māmaki must have been grown, dried and processed solely within the islands for the product to even be labeled as containing Hawai‘i-grown māmaki.

A product can contain other flavorings or mixes of other types of teas, but the māmaki must be grown and processed in Hawai‘i.

Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity’s Measurement Standards Branch will enforce the labeling regulations and could establish and administer a voluntary certification program for purposes of compliance.

Act 242 also appropriates funds for a dedicated Measurement Standards Branch inspector to support enforcement.

Questions and concerns about the new law and development of enforcement and documentation requirements can be addressed to the Measurement Standards Branch via email at hdoa.ms.labeling@hawaii.gov.