The US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) which functions under the department of health and human services, has recognised tea as a “healthy” beverage, much to the elation of the stakeholders of the Indian tea industry.

The FDA, which issued a final rule to update the “healthy” nutrient content claim, said “all water, tea, and coffee with less than 5 calories per RACC as per labeled serving automatically qualify the 'healthy' claim”.

According to the FDA, RACC means the reference amount customarily consumed. The FDA plays an important role in ensuring that labels on food packages for human consumption mention accurate information about the items.

“One such claim that the FDA has regulated is the term “healthy” on product labels. Since 1994, we have recognized that when a manufacturer uses labeling that describes a product as “healthy” in the nutritional context, it is making an implicit claim about the level of nutrients in the product,” reads a statement issued by the FDA.

"In particular, such a claim implies that the nutrient content of the food may help consumers maintain healthy in the nutritional context, it is making an implicit claim about the level of nutrients in the product. In particular, such a claim implies that the nutrient content of the food may help consumers maintain healthy dietary practices.”

The statement also said the final rule updates the definition of “healthy” to be consistent with current nutrition science and federal dietary guidance to help ensure that consumers have access to more complete, accurate, and up-to-date information on food labels.

“The recognition aligns with the scientific evidence which supports the health benefits of tea that is rich in antioxidants,” said a representative of the Indian Tea Association (ITA), the largest body of tea planters in India.

According to ITA sources, the recognition will allow tea manufacturers to label tea products with the claim that it is a “healthy” drink, provided they meet the updated FDA criteria.

Prabir Bhattacharjee, the secretary general of the Tea Association of India, and Bijoygopal Chakraborty, the president of the Confederation of Indian Small Tea Growers Associations, hailed the FDA decision.