FSSAI tightens norms on use of term ‘tea’; says only Camellia sinensis qualifies

India’s food safety regulator, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), has clarified that only products derived from the plant Camellia sinensis can legally be labelled and marketed as “tea”.

Misuse of Term Flagged

In a recent directive, FSSAI noted that several food business operators are misusing the term “tea” for herbal infusions and plant-based beverages that are not made from Camellia sinensis. Such practices, the regulator said, are misleading consumers and amount to misbranding under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Herbal and Flower Infusions Not Tea

The authority pointed out that products such as “Rooibos tea”, “herbal tea” and “flower tea” are being sold in the market despite not meeting the legal definition of tea. FSSAI clarified that beverages prepared from herbs, flowers or other plants cannot be marketed using the term “tea”.

What Qualifies as Tea

As per existing regulations, only infusions prepared from Camellia sinensis qualify as tea. These include recognised varieties such as green tea, Kangra tea and instant tea.