Currently, 75 million cups of Tetley tea are consumed globally each day. The company's commitment to buying from Rainforest Alliance Certified tea farms will benefit both the environment and the lives of the tea farmers and workers on a large scale.

All Tetley branded tea bags and loose tea for black, green and red (Rooibos) tea, including flavored and decaffeinated varieties, will be part of the certification program, which is scheduled for completion by 2016.

Speaking about today's announcement, Tensie Whelan, Rainforest Alliance president said: "The tea industry has faced many challenges, from declining prices to poor farming and environmentally damaging practices. The Rainforest Alliance certification program assists farmers in addressing these issues and in reaching new value-added markets as well as focusing on improving productivity and significantly improving their quality of life.

"We are delighted with Tetley's huge commitment, which will help meet the demand for sustainability that the environment and tea farmers need and consumers obviously want," Whelan added.

All farms that are Rainforest Alliance Certified have met the environmental, social and economic standards of the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN). The SAN standards cover ecosystem conservation, worker rights and safety, wildlife protection, water and soil conservation, agrochemical reduction, decent housing, and legal wages and contracts for workers.