FSSAI Clarifies Definition of Tea to Combat Misbranding

FSSAI Takes Action Against Misbranding of Tea Products

Guwahati, Dec 25: To eliminate confusion regarding what constitutes tea and to prevent the mislabeling of non-tea items as tea, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a directive stating that only products derived from the Camellia sinensis plant can be marketed as 'tea'.

This decision follows the increasing presence of various non-tea products being sold under appealing names like 'Rooibos tea', 'Herbal tea', and 'Flower tea', which undermine the reputation of tea, the world's most beloved beverage.

The FSSAI's notification, dated December 24, 2025, emphasizes that using the term 'tea' for any herbal or plant-based infusions not sourced from Camellia sinensis is misleading and constitutes misbranding under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Failure to comply with this regulation will result in appropriate actions against violators, as outlined in the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

The notification instructs all food business operators (FBOs), including those in e-commerce, involved in the production, packaging, marketing, import, or sale of such products, to adhere to the Food Safety and Standards Regulation and to avoid using 'tea' for items not derived from Camellia sinensis.

According to the standards set forth in 2.10.1 of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, all forms of tea, including Kangra tea, Green tea, and Instant tea, must exclusively come from the Camellia sinensis plant. The notification mandates that every package must clearly indicate the true nature of the food contained on the front of the packaging, as per sub-regulation (1) of regulation 5 of the Food Safety and Standards (Labeling and Display) Regulations, 2020.

Products that are plant-based or herbal infusions not derived from Camellia sinensis do not qualify to be labeled as 'tea'. Depending on their ingredients, these products may fall under proprietary foods or the Food Safety and Standards (Approval for Non-Specified Food and Food Ingredients) Regulations, 2017.

The notification also calls upon the Commissioners of Food Safety across all States/UTs and Regional Directors of FSSAI to ensure that Designated Officers and Food Safety Officers monitor compliance among Food Business Operators, including those in e-commerce.

In cases of non-compliance, necessary actions will be initiated as per the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and its associated regulations.

The North Eastern Tea Association (NETA) has welcomed the FSSAI's intervention, stating that this clarification was essential. Bidyananda Barkakoty, an adviser to NETA, noted, "This definition of tea will clear up much confusion for consumers and help eliminate clutter. Even the US FDA recognizes tea from Camellia sinensis as a 'healthy' beverage, not as a herbal infusion."