Frequently asked questions

Bergendal Rooibos is the exclusive Rooibos drying, pasteurizing, and packing facility for Carmién Tea, situated on the Piekenierskloof mountain range near Citrusdal.

Bergendal Rooibos is the exclusive processing plant for Carmién Tea, a shareholder in which approximately 100 farm workers hold 50% shares.

We are open for client visits and audits, as well as visits from third-party auditors. We take food safety very seriously, with strict processes and QC protocols that we are very proud of.

Yes, we have a training matrix that we follow each year. We are passionate about training, career development, and continually improving our knowledge and that of our employees.

Yes, we have an R&D team as well as a trained sensory evaluation team, allowing us to continue innovating, creating new products, and providing our customers with what they want and need. We have a fully trained team of food technologists, comprising food scientists and product development specialists.

Because we have a stringent food safety management system, as well as BRCGS and HACCP certifications in place, we do have detailed product specifications for all our products. All recipes, food safety systems, documentation, and QA provisions are verified annually, maintaining the integrity of our Quality Assurance programme.

All processing, packing, and quality processes fall under our BRC food safety system, which is managed by Bergendal Rooibos.

Yes. All Carmién Tea processing and packing fall under the BRC-certified food safety system at Bergendal Rooibos. We follow a documented change management process, apply statistical process controls, and consistently deliver high-quality products. Foreign material risks are managed through a comprehensive, flow-based risk assessment, ensuring product integrity throughout the production process.

Yes. Carmién Tea maintains a comprehensive traceability system that tracks ingredients, raw materials, and finished products through every stage of the production process. This system enables real-time tracking, batch-level identification, and rapid response in the event of a recall or quality investigation, supporting both food safety compliance and supply chain transparency.

Yes. Carmién Tea retains reference samples of each production batch as part of its quality assurance program. These samples are stored under controlled conditions and used for ongoing quality monitoring, verification, and traceability, ensuring consistent product standards and compliance with food safety requirements.

Yes. Carmién Tea operates under the compliance framework of Bergendal Rooibos, which adheres to all applicable national and local regulations, including environmental, health, and safety legislation.

BRCGS, Rainforest Alliance, Kosher, Halal, Fairtrade, and Vegan.

Carmién Tea follows strict hygiene protocols and stores all raw herbal materials in a controlled cold storage environment. A robust traceability and inventory management system ensures product integrity throughout the storage cycle. Carmién also has strict hygiene protocols in place for employees working with the product, as well as documented sanitation procedures.

No. Carmién Tea operates a non-allergen facility, with no common allergens such as nuts, dairy, or wheat used or stored on site. We also have a strict allergen control programme in place.