FSSAI clarifies only Camellia sinensis products can be called “tea”

Guwahati: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has stated that the use of the word “tea”, directly or indirectly, for any plant-based or herbal infusions or blends not derived from Camellia sinensis is misleading and amounts to misbranding under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act.

Dr Satyen Kumar Panda, Executive Director (Compliance Strategy), FSSAI, said it has come to the notice of the authority that some business operators are manufacturing products not derived from Camellia sinensis and marketing them under the name “tea”, including products labelled as “rooibos tea”, “herbal tea” and “flower tea”.

The clarification noted that as per standards specified under Regulation 2.10.1 of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, tea, including Kangra tea, green tea and instant tea in solid form, shall be exclusively from the plant Camellia sinensis. It also referred to Regulation 5(1) of the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020, which mandates that every food package must carry a name that indicates the true nature of the food on the front of the pack. Accordingly, the use of the word “tea” for any other plant-based or herbal infusions or blends not derived from Camellia sinensis is misleading and amounts to misbranding under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and related rules and regulations.


FSSAI further stated that such plant-based or herbal infusions or blends do not qualify to be named as tea and may fall under the category of proprietary foods or under the Food Safety and Standards (Approval for Non-Specified Food and Food Ingredients) Regulations, 2017, depending on the ingredients used. It directed all food business operators, including those engaged in e-commerce, to comply with the regulations and refrain from using the term “tea” for products not derived from Camellia sinensis.

The authority added that Commissioners of Food Safety of all states and Union Territories and regional directors of FSSAI have been requested to instruct designated officers and food safety officers to monitor and ensure strict adherence to these provisions. In cases of non-compliance, action will be initiated under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the rules and regulations made thereunder.

Reacting to the clarification, Bidyananda Barkakoty, adviser to the North Eastern Tea Association, said the move was a much-needed clarification from the food safety regulator and would help remove ambiguity and confusion among consumers. He added that even the US Food and Drug Administration recognises only tea derived from Camellia sinensis as a healthy beverage, and not herbal infusions.