The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a warning to food business operators against using the word ‘tea’ for herbal infusions and plant-based blends that are not derived from Camellia sinensis, stating that such usage amounts to misbranding and misleading practices under the law.
The directive, issued on December 24, has followed the regulator’s observation that several food business operators have been marketing products such as ‘Rooibos tea’, ‘herbal tea’ and ‘flower tea’, none of which are obtained from the Camellia sinensis plant, as per media reports.
FSSAI has reiterated that, under existing regulations, the term ‘tea’ can be used on packaging and labelling only if the beverage is derived from Camellia sinensis. This classification has included recognised variants such as Kangra tea, green tea and instant tea.
The regulator has clarified that plant-based or herbal infusions and blends not derived from Camellia sinensis do not qualify to be named as tea, and that such violations fall under misleading and misbranding provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
FSSAI has directed all food business operators, including those involved in e-commerce, manufacturing, packing, marketing, import or sale of such products, to comply strictly with food safety regulations. It has also asked state officials to ensure enforcement of these provisions, including compliance by online retailers.
