The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a clarification regarding the use of the word “Tea” on packaging and labelling of food products. The regulator has stated that only beverages derived from the plant Camellia sinensis can be legally labelled and marketed as tea.
As per FSSAI, products such as Kangra Tea, Green Tea and Instant Tea fall under the definition of tea only when they are obtained exclusively from Camellia sinensis. The authority noted that it has come to its notice that several Food Business Operators (FBOs) are selling products like Herbal Tea, Rooibos Tea, Flower Tea and similar items, despite these not being derived from the tea plant.
FSSAI explained that under Regulation 2.10.1 of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, tea must originate solely from Camellia sinensis. In addition, Regulation 5(1) of the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020 requires that food labels clearly reflect the true nature of the product on the front of the pack. Using the term “Tea” for herbal or plant-based infusions is misleading and amounts to misbranding under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The regulator further clarified that plant-based or herbal infusions not derived from Camellia sinensis cannot be named as tea. Depending on their ingredients, such products may fall under the category of proprietary foods or require approval under the Food Safety and Standards (Approval for Non-Specified Food and Food Ingredients) Regulations, 2017.
FSSAI has directed all FBOs, including those operating on e-commerce platforms, to strictly comply with the regulations and refrain from using the word “Tea” for products not derived from Camellia sinensis. State and UT Food Safety Commissioners and FSSAI Regional Directors have been instructed to monitor compliance and take necessary action in case of violations.
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