FSSAI Clarifies Use of the Term “Tea”, Restricts It Exclusively to Camellia sinensis Products

On 24 December 2025, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued an official clarification on the use of the word “Tea” in food product naming and marketing, following observations that several Food Business Operators (FBOs) were selling products such as “Herbal Tea,” “Rooibos Tea,” and “Flower Tea” that are not derived from the tea plant Camellia sinensis. FSSAI clarified that, in accordance with 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—must be obtained exclusively from the plant Camellia sinensis. The authority further referred to Regulation 5(1) of the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020, which requires that the name of the food displayed on the front of the package accurately represent the true nature of the product. As a result, the use of the term “Tea,” directly or indirectly, for plant-based or herbal infusions not derived from Camellia sinensis is considered misleading and constitutes misbranding under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. FSSAI stated that such non-Camellia sinensis products do not qualify to be named as tea and, depending on their ingredients, may instead fall under proprietary foods or require approval under the Food Safety and Standards (Approval for Non-Specified Food and Food Ingredients) Regulations, 2017. All FBOs, including e-commerce platforms involved in manufacturing, packing, marketing, importing, or selling such products, have been directed to immediately comply with these provisions and refrain from using the term “Tea” for non-compliant products. FSSAI has also instructed Commissioners of Food Safety across all States and Union Territories, as well as Regional Directors, to ensure strict enforcement and initiate action against non-compliant operators as per applicable regulations.