Last updated: July 2026

Our Commitment

Tea begins with people.

The growers who care for the land. The producers who refine their craft. The teams who pack, transport and serve every cup.

At Canton, we believe every person within our supply chain should be treated with dignity, fairness and respect.

Modern slavery, forced labour, human trafficking and exploitation have no place in our business or the communities we work with. This statement outlines our commitment to identifying and reducing these risks throughout our operations and supply chain.

This statement is made in accordance with Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

Our Business

Canton Tea Company Limited sources exceptional teas and botanicals from producers around the world, supplying cafés, restaurants, hotels, workplaces and customers throughout the United Kingdom.

Our approach has always been built around long-term relationships, thoughtful sourcing and mutual trust. We believe these relationships are fundamental to producing better tea and reducing the risk of unethical labour practices.

Our Supply Chain

Our supply chain includes:

Tea gardens and estates
Smallholder producers
Tea cooperatives
Botanical growers
Ingredient suppliers
Packaging manufacturers
Warehousing and fulfilment partners
Logistics and distribution providers

Many of our supplier relationships have developed over many years, allowing us to better understand how our products are grown, processed and supplied.

Our Principles

We believe responsible sourcing begins with relationships rather than transactions.

When selecting suppliers, we look beyond product quality alone. We seek partners who share our values around craftsmanship, transparency and long-term thinking.

Where possible, we aim to work directly with producers and trusted partners who understand both the importance of exceptional tea and the wellbeing of the people who produce it.

Identifying Risk

We recognise that agriculture and international supply chains can present an increased risk of labour exploitation.

While we believe our sourcing model helps reduce these risks, we acknowledge that no supply chain is entirely without challenge.

We remain committed to understanding where risks may exist and taking appropriate action where concerns arise.

Due Diligence

As part of our sourcing process, we seek to:

Build long-term supplier relationships.
Understand how our products are grown and processed.
Work with suppliers who share our commitment to ethical business practices.
Review supplier information where appropriate.
Raise concerns where standards fall below our expectations.
Continuously improve our understanding of supply chain risks.

Where appropriate, we may request additional information relating to labour standards, employment practices and supplier policies.

Our People

We are committed to providing a safe, respectful and inclusive workplace for everyone who works at Canton.

We believe every employee should:

Be treated fairly.
Work in a safe environment.
Receive lawful pay and benefits.
Be free from discrimination, coercion or harassment.
Have the opportunity to raise concerns without fear of retaliation.

We comply with all relevant UK employment legislation.

Reporting Concerns

We encourage employees, suppliers and business partners to report any concerns relating to unethical behaviour, modern slavery or human trafficking.

Reports will be treated seriously, investigated appropriately and handled confidentially wherever possible.

Where concerns are substantiated, we will take appropriate action, which may include ending supplier relationships where necessary.

Continuous Improvement

Responsible sourcing is not a destination.

It is an ongoing commitment.

As our business grows, we will continue to strengthen our understanding of supply chain risk, improve our due diligence processes and develop closer relationships with the people who grow and produce our teas.

We believe transparency, curiosity and continuous improvement are essential to building a more responsible tea industry.

Looking Ahead

As part of our ongoing commitment, Canton intends to continue strengthening its responsible sourcing practices, including:

Building deeper relationships with producers.
Increasing visibility across our supply chain.
Supporting greater transparency where possible.
Reviewing supplier standards as our business grows.
Continuing to develop internal policies and employee awareness.

We recognise that responsible sourcing is an evolving journey, and we remain committed to learning, improving and acting with integrity.