Mint and Tea Tea Shower Gel: Counting the leaves in the bottle

I've always liked Mint and Tea Tree Shower Gel. Come to think of it – I can remember the first time I used it. It was that exciting. The amazing thing about this shower gel, for those who haven’t tried it before, is the feeling you get as it foams copiously in your hands, hair and on your skin. Some people describe it as a cool, tingly sensation. Others liken it to being stung very gently by nettles. While others, namely me, will recommend you don’t place it too generously on delicate areas! Surely I can't be the only one who finds its tingle mildly erotic (which may be the reason I shower fifteen times a day). 

As you can see on the front of the bottle, they say there are 7,927 mint leaves in every bottle which, if you think about it, is a lot! I did think about it and, taking the note on the bottle label at face value, I contacted the manufacturers' Customer Relations office to find out how they know that it's 7,927.  The e-mail thread goes:

I use your Mint and Tea Tree Shower gel regularly.
I've been intrigued to read on your label that 'you've crammed 7,927 real mint leaves' into each bottle. What is the basis of your calculation? I'm curious.
Derrick Parsons

Hi, thanks for your email
It takes 7,927 mint leaves to produce the quantity of mint essential oil used in each bottle of shower gel.  That's how we arrive at that figure.
Regards
Nina 

Dear Nina,

Many thanks for your reply. A supplementary question from me: does that mean that someone actually counted the number of leaves?  I'm intrigued at the process.
Derrick Parsons

Hi, thanks for your email

In answer to your question, it's a formula calculation.
Regards
Nina

Thank you, Nina.
Formula based on....?

Derrick

Hi, thanks for your email
Based on an estimation of the number of leaves used at the start of the process.
Regards
Nina

Thank you, Nina.
So, no-one actually counts the number of leaves?
Derrick

Hi, thanks for your email.
Correct. But we believe that the optical scanning equipment used for quality control gives an acceptable estimate of the number of leaves passing into this process.
Regards
Nina

Thank you, Nina.
Given the way the number is derived, don't you think that citing a figure like 7,927 implies a misleading accuracy in the calculation? Wouldn't it be better to quote something like 7,927 +/- SD where n = the number of determinations? Or 'approximately 8000'?
Derrick

Hi, thanks for your email.
I have consulted with my scientific colleagues and they are of the opinion that, as the Advertising Standards Bureau have not filed any complaints, we have taken reasonable steps to answer your query. There is nothing more they would want to add.
Regards
Nina

Thank you, Nina.
Not an entirely satisfactory set of answers, I'm afraid. What about your claims of 157 lavender flowers in every bottle of Lavender and Tea Tree Shower Gel and 8,899 real mint leaves in Extra Strong Black Mint Shower Gel? Not to mention 40 real zingy limes in your Lime Shower Gel?
Derrick

Hi, thanks for your email.
I would refer you to our previous correspondence on Mint and Tea Tree Shower Gel.
Regards
Nina

Thank you, Nina.
I appreciate your patience and time.  I admit defeat and I'm off for a shower.
Derrick

Hi, thanks for your email.
No comment.
Regards
Nina