GoodSwap Get notified
Saint James Blood Orange and Hibiscus flavored Black Tea
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Tea-based beverages

Saint James Blood Orange and Hibiscus flavored Black Tea

16.9 fl oz

Excellent out of 100 High confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
  • Contains caffeine
  • Certified organic
Get GoodSwap

Why it scores 81

Saint James Blood Orange and Hibiscus flavored Black Tea scores 81 out of 100 (Excellent) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
  2. Certified organic: Carries a certified-organic label. Info
  3. Natural flavors: "Natural flavor" is a legal category (21 CFR 101.22(a)(3)): flavor substances from spices, fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy or fermentation. Info

Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.

Better tea bags and loose tea

The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.

The Receipt

Blood Orange and Hibiscus flavored Black Tea

START100

Ingredients

  • Natural flavors
    Info "Natural flavor" is a legal category (21 CFR 101.22(a)(3)): flavor substances from spices, fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy or fermentation. [1][2]
  • Stevia (steviol glycosides)
    Emerging WHO (2023) recommends against using non-sugar sweeteners to control body weight (conditional recommendation); US dietary guidelines advise limiting them. [3][4]
subtotal−5

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [2]
  • 2 kinds of ultra-processing markers
    Emerging Industrial additive classes found: flavoring and non-nutritive sweetener. [2]
subtotal−19.5

Bonuses

  • Certified organic
    Info Carries a certified-organic label. [5][6]
subtotal+5
TOTAL 81Excellent

100 − 19.5 = 80.5 → 81

GTIN 00850032072052 · 2025-12-03

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

High confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 ml

Energy0 kcal
Fat0 g
Saturated fat0 g
Carbohydrates0.2 g
Sugars0 g
Fiber0 g
Protein0 g
Salt0 g

Serving: 1 bottle (500mL)

Ingredients

High Moderate Not recognized Tap an ingredient for its evidence and rules.
Label text, as published

Organic Browed Black Tea (Filtered Water, Organic Brewed Black Tea Concentrate), Organic Brewed Hibiscus Tea (Filtered Water, Organic Brewed Hibiscus Tea Concentrate), Organic Lemon Juice (From Concentrate), Organic Natural Flavor, Organic Stevia Leaf Extract

Allergens and diets

  • Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest tea-based beverages in the US

More from Saint James

Sources

  1. 21 CFR 101.22 Foods; labeling of spices, flavorings, colorings and chemical preservatives

    Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), U.S. Office of the Federal Register · Dec 19, 2016 · Law

    “whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.”

    ecfr.gov

  2. Ultra-processed foods: what they are and how to identify them

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  3. WHO advises not to use non-sugar sweeteners for weight control in newly released guideline

    World Health Organization · May 15, 2023 · Agency assessment

    “The recommendation is based on the findings of a systematic review of the available evidence which suggests that use of NSS does not confer any long-term benefit in reducing body fat in adults or children.”

    who.int

  4. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030

    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture · January 2026 · Regulator

    “Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”

    cdn.realfood.gov

  5. Regulation (EU) 2018/848 of 30 May 2018 on organic production and labelling of organic products

    European Union (Official Journal) · May 30, 2018 · Law

    eur-lex.europa.eu

  6. 7 CFR 205.102 Use of the term "organic" (National Organic Program)

    Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), U.S. Office of the Federal Register · Feb 17, 2010 · Law

    “Any agricultural product that is sold, labeled, or represented as “100 percent organic,” “organic,” or “made with organic (specified ingredients or food group(s))” must be: (a) Produced in accordance with the requirements specified in § 205.101 or §§ 205.202 through 205.207”

    ecfr.gov

  7. Ultra-processed food exposure and adverse health outcomes: umbrella review of epidemiological meta-analyses

    BMJ · Feb 28, 2024 · Peer-reviewed

    “Greater exposure to ultra-processed food was associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, especially cardiometabolic, common mental disorder, and mortality outcomes.”

    doi.org

  8. Ultra-Processed Diets Cause Excess Calorie Intake and Weight Gain: An Inpatient Randomized Controlled Trial of Ad Libitum Food Intake

    Cell Metabolism · July 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  9. Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine is Too Much?

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Regulator

    “For most adults, the FDA has cited 400 milligrams* a day — that's about two to three 12-fluid-ounce cups of coffee — as an amount not generally associated with negative effects.”

    fda.gov

  10. Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Annex III point 4.1 (beverages with high caffeine content)

    European Union (Official Journal) · Oct 25, 2011 · Law

    “‘High caffeine content. Not recommended for children or pregnant or breast-feeding women’”

    eur-lex.europa.eu