No Herbal ‘Tea’: Only Camellia Sinensis Products Can Be Called ‘Tea’, Clarifies FSSAI

India’s food regulator, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), has issued a clarification stating that only products derived from the Camellia sinensis plant can legally be marketed and labeled as “Tea”. 

In an official communication dated December 24, 2025, FSSAI said it has observed that several Food Business Operators (FBOs) are selling products such as “Herbal Tea”, “Flower Tea”, and “Rooibos Tea” even though these are not obtained from Camellia sinensis. According to the regulator, such usage is misleading and amounts to misbranding under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. 

FSSAI clarified that under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, the term “Tea”, including variants like green tea, Kangra tea, and instant tea in solid form, is exclusively reserved for products made from Camellia sinensis. Further, labeling rules require that the name of the food must clearly indicate its true nature on the front of the package. 

The authority emphasized that plant-based or herbal infusions and blends not derived from Camellia sinensis cannot be named as tea. Depending on their composition, such products may instead fall under proprietary foods or require approval under the regulations for non-specified food and food ingredients. 

Directing all FBOs, including e-commerce platforms, to ensure compliance, FSSAI asked them to refrain from using the term “Tea” for any non-Camellia sinensis products. State food safety commissioners and regional directors have been instructed to strictly monitor compliance, with regulatory action to follow in cases of violation.