Guwahati, Dec 20: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has officially recognized tea as a “healthy” beverage under its updated nutrient content claim regulations. This development has been welcomed with enthusiasm by tea industry leaders, including the North Eastern Tea Association (NETA).
The FDA’s final rule updates the health nutrient content claim criteria to help consumers identify foods and beverages that align with dietary recommendations. Manufacturers can now voluntarily label their products as “healthy” if they meet the revised standards.
In its executive summary, the FDA explicitly states that all water, tea, and coffee with less than five calories per reference amount customarily consumed (RACC) and per labelled serving automatically qualify for the “healthy” claim.
The FDA clarified its stance on tea, stating, “We agree that tea is derived from the plant Camellia sinensis. For example, we previously recognized that green tea is made from Camellia sinensis in our response to a qualified health claim petition regarding the relationship between green tea and certain cancers.”
However, the FDA distinguishes tea from herbal infusions. It stated, “At this time, we do not have sufficient information to determine whether herbal infusions should automatically qualify for the ‘healthy’ claim. We therefore extend automatic qualification for the ‘healthy’ claim to tea—derived from Camellia sinensis—and not to herbal infusions.”
Reacting to the announcement, Bidyananda Barkakoty, chief advisor of the North Eastern Tea Association (NETA) and former vice chairman of the Tea Board of India, expressed his delight.
“We are extremely happy to know that tea derived from Camellia sinensis has been recognized as a ‘healthy’ beverage by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Research worldwide has found numerous health benefits of drinking tea. Tea is a wonder drink,” Barkakoty said.
He further urged the Government of India to capitalize on this recognition, saying, “We urge the Government of India to promote tea as a healthy, lifestyle, and wellness beverage.”
This FDA recognition is expected to bolster the global appeal of tea, particularly as a health-conscious choice, potentially opening up new avenues for its promotion and consumption. For India, one of the largest tea producers in the world, the move presents a unique opportunity to elevate tea’s status as a wellness beverage on the global stage.
