FSSAI Restricts Use of the Word ‘Tea’ to Camellia sinensis Products, Impacting Herbal and Flower Drinks
India’s food regulator has issued a major clarification that is expected to reshape how popular herbal and wellness drinks are marketed across the country. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has ruled that the word “tea” can only be used for beverages made from the Camellia sinensis plant, the botanical source of traditional black, green, and other true teas.
The decision, announced on December 24, comes amid growing concerns that consumers are being misled by the widespread use of the word “tea” for plant-based infusions such as herbal, flower, and rooibos drinks that do not contain any part of the tea plant.
By clearly defining what qualifies as tea under Indian law, the regulator aims to improve transparency, protect consumers from confusing labels, and ensure fair competition in the beverage market.
What makes a drink legally “tea”?
For centuries, tea has been produced from the leaves and buds of the Camellia sinensis plant. In India’s tea-growing regions—from Assam and Darjeeling to Kangra and Nilgiris—this process typically involves carefully plucking two tender leaves and an unopened bud from the plant. These leaves are then dried, rolled, oxidised, or granulated to produce the wide range of teas sold in the market, including black tea, green tea, and instant tea.
FSSAI has now confirmed that this botanical origin is not just a tradition but also a legal requirement. Under existing food product standards, tea in any form—whether loose leaf, granules, or instant—must come exclusively from Camellia sinensis. No other plant qualifies.
This means that drinks made from herbs, flowers, seeds, roots, or fruits, even if brewed in hot water and consumed like tea, cannot be labelled or marketed as tea under Indian food laws.
Why the regulator stepped in
Over the past decade, the Indian beverage market has seen a rapid rise in so-called “wellness teas,” including herbal tea, flower tea, rooibos tea, and a wide variety of plant-based blends. While these products have found popularity among health-conscious consumers, regulators say the use of the word “tea” for such drinks has created confusion about what people are actually buying.
According to the food safety authority, this practice can give consumers the false impression that these products are equivalent to traditional tea, which has its own nutritional profile, caffeine content, and established regulatory definition.
Under India’s food labelling rules, every packaged product must clearly state what it is in a way that reflects its true nature. Using the term “tea” for beverages that do not come from Camellia sinensis is considered misleading and falls under misbranding, which is a punishable offence under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
What happens to herbal and flower-based drinks?
The clarification does not mean that herbal or plant-based infusions will be removed from the market. These products can still be manufactured, sold, and consumed legally in India. However, they must now be placed under the correct regulatory category.
Depending on their ingredients, such products may be classified as:
- Proprietary foods, or
- Items covered under the Food Safety and Standards (Approval for Non-Specified Food and Food Ingredients) Regulations, 2017
What they cannot do is use the word “tea” anywhere on their packaging, branding, or marketing if they do not contain Camellia sinensis. Companies will need to describe them using more accurate terms such as “herbal infusion,” “flower infusion,” or similar product names that do not imply they are tea.
Compliance rules for companies and online platforms
FSSAI has instructed all food business operators to follow the clarification without delay. This includes:
- Manufacturers
- Packers and distributors
- Importers
- Retailers
- E-commerce platforms selling beverages online
They have been told to stop using the word “tea” for any product not derived from the tea plant. This applies not only to packaging but also to online product listings, advertisements, and promotional material.
State food safety commissioners and regional offices of the regulator have also been directed to monitor the market and take action against businesses that continue to use misleading labels.
Tea industry welcomes the move
The clarification has been welcomed by traditional tea producers, who have long argued that the increasing use of the word “tea” for unrelated products has diluted the identity of real tea and confused consumers.
Industry representatives say that a clear definition will help buyers understand what they are drinking and allow genuine tea to be distinguished from herbal beverages. They have also pointed out that international regulators follow similar standards, recognising only Camellia sinensis as the source of tea.
What this means for consumers
For buyers, the change is meant to bring greater honesty and clarity to store shelves and online marketplaces. Shoppers will still find herbal and flower-based drinks available, but they will be labelled in a way that more accurately reflects what they contain.
This will help consumers make better-informed choices, especially those who buy tea for specific reasons such as caffeine content, antioxidants, or traditional flavour profiles.
A step toward clearer food labelling
The FSSAI’s move is part of a broader effort to improve food labelling standards in India and ensure that product names do not mislead the public. By drawing a firm line around what can be called tea, the regulator hopes to create a more transparent, fair, and trustworthy beverage market.
As companies begin to adjust their packaging and marketing strategies, consumers can expect clearer distinctions between traditional tea and herbal infusions in the months ahead.
