Kolkata: The Indian Tea Association (ITA) on Friday announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a final rule updating the “healthy” nutrient content claim, paving the way for tea to be officially recognized as a “healthy” beverage.
This significant development will allow manufacturers to voluntarily label tea products with the “healthy” claim, provided they meet the updated criteria.
In the executive summary of FDA’s announcement, it was noted that all water, tea and coffee with less than 5 calories per reference amount customarily consumed (RACC) and per labeled serving automatically qualify for the “healthy” claim.
The tea association said “this recognition aligns with the growing body of scientific evidence supporting the health benefits of tea, which is rich in antioxidants and linked to various health benefits”.
“The ITA views this recognition as a pivotal moment for the tea industry as it not only validates the nutritional value of tea but also empowers consumers to make informed choices. This decision underscores the numerous health benefits of tea and reinforces our commitment to promoting tea as a healthy beverage choice,” ITA said.
This significant development will allow manufacturers to voluntarily label tea products with the “healthy” claim, provided they meet the updated criteria.
In the executive summary of FDA’s announcement, it was noted that all water, tea and coffee with less than 5 calories per reference amount customarily consumed (RACC) and per labeled serving automatically qualify for the “healthy” claim.
The tea association said “this recognition aligns with the growing body of scientific evidence supporting the health benefits of tea, which is rich in antioxidants and linked to various health benefits”.
“The ITA views this recognition as a pivotal moment for the tea industry as it not only validates the nutritional value of tea but also empowers consumers to make informed choices. This decision underscores the numerous health benefits of tea and reinforces our commitment to promoting tea as a healthy beverage choice,” ITA said.
