U.S. recognition of tea as a healthy beverage hailed

Tea (Camellia sinensis) leaves.
| Photo Credit: K. Ananthan

The North Eastern Tea Association (NETA) has hailed the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)‘s recognition of tea from the plant Camellia sinensis as a healthy beverage.

On December 19, the FDA issued a final rule to update the “healthy” nutrient content claim to help consumers identify foods that are particularly useful as the foundation of a diet consistent with dietary recommendations.

Peter F. Goggi, the president of the Tea Association of the U.S.A., said this was “fantastic news” for the global tea industry, which can now use the “healthy” descriptor.

“We are delighted with the FDA recognition. Research worldwide has found the health benefits of drinking tea. We urge the government of India to promote tea as a healthy lifestyle and wellness beverage,” NETA advisor and former vice-chairman of the Tea Board of India, Bidyananda Borkakoty said.

The NETA shared a statement issued by the FDA. It read: “…we previously recognised 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.”

The U.S. agency, however, said it was unclear how the vast category of beverages with herbal infusions from single and combinations of unnamed plants and plant parts could help consumers maintain healthy dietary practices.

“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,” the FDA said.

Herbal teas available in the market, with or without the derivative of Camellia sinensis, include chamomile tea, peppermint tea, ginger tea, lavender tea, hibiscus tea, butterfly pea flower tea, and masala tea.