As of April 28, Standard Black Coffee Can Be Labeled ‘Healthy’ in the U.S.

As of April 28, 2025, most standard cups of black coffee or espresso shots can be labeled as “healthy” in the United States.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the new designation for coffee — specifically, coffee drinks that contain less than 5 calories per standard serving, or per 12 ounces — back in December.

The change was intended to dovetail with the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which are issued every five years, to help American consumers “identify foods that are particularly useful as the foundation of a nutritious diet.”

Now, marketers of coffee drinks and products may affix a “healthy” label to coffee drinks, even when they are mixed with other ingredients. However, the healthy label cannot apply when a drink contains added caffeine — beyond what is naturally derived — or exceeds the 5-calorie threshold.

According to data in the U.S. Department of Agriculture Nutrient Database, the calorie content of 12 ounces of brewed coffee is 3.55 calories. A standard shot of espresso contains approximately 3 calories.

The 5-calorie threshold per serving is particularly notable in the coffee category, since coffee drinks are one of the largest contributors to added sugars in Americans’ diets, according to the FDA.

The use of a “healthy” claim is voluntary among producers meeting the requirements. The FDA says it has been working on creating a “healthy” label that could be used by food and drink producers in packaging since at least 2021, although no updates on that initiative have been offered since the new “healthy” labeling rules were approved.

The FDA is currently dealing with mass layoffs under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

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