No Herbal Infusion Can Be Called Tea, Clarifies FSSAI: Why the Regulator Is Drawing a Firm Line
FSSAI warns food businesses against misusing the word ‘tea’ for herbal infusions, clarifying that only Camellia sinensis products qualify under law.
Meta Description (150–160 characters)
FSSAI warns food businesses against misusing the word ‘tea’ for herbal infusions, clarifying that only Camellia sinensis products qualify under law.
Introduction: When Everything Became “Tea”
Walk down any supermarket aisle or scroll through an online wellness store, and you’ll find an explosion of products labeled as “herbal tea,” “flower tea,” or “detox tea.” From chamomile and hibiscus to tulsi and lemongrass, the word tea has become a catch-all marketing label for plant-based infusions.
India’s food regulator, however, has now made it clear: not everything steeped in hot water qualifies as tea. In a firm clarification, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has warned food business operators that only beverages derived from Camellia sinensis can legally be called tea.
The move signals a sharper regulatory push against misleading labels—and a reminder that in India’s vast and valuable tea economy, words matter.
Context & Background: What the Law Says About “Tea”
Under India’s food safety regulations, the definition of tea has never been ambiguous. According to FSSAI norms, the term “tea” can be used on packaging and labeling only when the product is derived from the leaves of Camellia sinensis—the plant that gives the world black tea, green tea, white tea, and oolong.
This definition covers all recognized variants, including:
- Green tea
- Instant tea
- Regional and specialty teas such as Darjeeling, Assam, Kangra, Nilgiri, and Sikkim tea
What it does not include are herbal infusions or plant-based blends made from flowers, roots, seeds, or leaves of other plants. While these products may be consumed like tea, the regulator says they do not qualify legally as tea.
By allowing such products to be marketed as tea, FSSAI argues, companies risk misleading consumers about the nature, composition, and regulatory status of what they are buying.
Main Developments: FSSAI’s Warning and Why It Matters
In its latest clarification, FSSAI has explicitly directed all food business operators (FBOs)—including those involved in manufacturing, packing, marketing, import, sale, and e-commerce—to stop using the word tea for products not derived from Camellia sinensis.
The regulator has also warned that such misuse amounts to:
- Misleading claims
- Misbranding
- Violation of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
These are not minor technical breaches. Under Indian law, misbranding can attract penalties, product recalls, and regulatory action, especially when consumer trust is at stake.
The clarification reflects FSSAI’s broader mandate: ensuring that food labels are truthful, scientifically accurate, and transparent, allowing consumers to make informed choices rather than marketing-driven assumptions.
Why Herbal Infusions Are Under Scrutiny
Herbal and plant-based infusions have grown rapidly in popularity, fueled by wellness trends and traditional medicine narratives. However, FSSAI’s concern is not about consumption—but classification.
By calling herbal infusions “tea,” companies blur distinctions between:
- Regulated tea products
- Functional foods
- Health supplements
- Traditional herbal preparations
This creates confusion over quality standards, safety testing, and even health claims. From a regulatory standpoint, naming determines oversight, and mislabeling weakens the entire food safety framework.
Expert Insight & Public Sentiment: Clarity Over Convenience
Food safety professionals see the move as overdue. Regulatory experts note that while “herbal tea” is a common global phrase, Indian food law relies on botanical definitions, not consumer habits.
Industry observers also point out that India’s tea sector is not just cultural—it is economic. With millions of livelihoods tied to tea cultivation, processing, and export, protecting the identity of tea is critical.
Consumers, meanwhile, are divided. Some view the clarification as overly technical, while others welcome it as a step toward honest labeling in a market crowded with health claims and buzzwords.
Impact & Implications: Who Is Affected and What Happens Next
Food Businesses
Companies selling herbal infusions will need to:
- Rework product names and labels
- Avoid using “tea” as a descriptor
- Clearly identify products as herbal infusions, plant blends, or beverages
E-Commerce Platforms
Online marketplaces are specifically included in FSSAI’s directive, meaning listings and descriptions will also need compliance checks.
Consumers
Shoppers may begin to see clearer distinctions between traditional tea and herbal beverages, improving transparency but also requiring adjustment to new terminology.
India’s Tea Industry
The clarification indirectly strengthens the identity of Indian tea at a time when the country has achieved a major milestone. In 2024, India overtook Sri Lanka to become the world’s second-largest tea exporter, with key markets including the UAE, Iraq, the United States, Russia, and Iran.
India’s Tea Ecosystem: Why Definitions Matter
India is one of the world’s largest tea producers, with cultivation spread across 15 states. Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala alone account for 98 percent of national production, while newer regions such as Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Sikkim are expanding the map.
Globally renowned teas—Darjeeling, Assam, Nilgiris, Kangra, and Sikkim—are not just beverages; they are geographical and economic assets. Protecting the term tea helps preserve quality benchmarks and international credibility.
The Role of Tea Board India
Established in 1954 under the Tea Act, 1953, Tea Board India functions as the apex body overseeing the sector’s development. From quality improvement and export promotion to worker welfare and data dissemination, the Board plays a central role in safeguarding India’s tea identity.
FSSAI’s clarification aligns with this broader institutional effort to maintain standards, credibility, and global trust in Indian tea.
Conclusion: Drawing the Line to Protect Trust
FSSAI’s message is straightforward: words on food labels must reflect what the product truly is. While herbal infusions may offer taste and wellness appeal, calling them tea crosses a regulatory line that India’s food watchdog is no longer willing to ignore.
As food markets grow more complex and wellness marketing more aggressive, such clarifications serve an essential purpose—protecting consumers, supporting legitimate industries, and reinforcing trust in the food system.
In the end, this is not just about tea. It is about truth in labeling, and the responsibility that comes with it.
The information presented in this article is based on publicly available sources, reports, and factual material available at the time of publication. While efforts are made to ensure accuracy, details may change as new information emerges. The content is provided for general informational purposes only, and readers are advised to verify facts independently where necessary.