FSSAI On Herbal Drinks: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has given a clear warning to the companies doing food business that they should not try to sell herbal and plant based drinks by calling them ‘tea’. FSSAI has said that such work is against the law. This instruction was issued on 24 December 2025.
FSSAI issued statement
According to FSSAI, many companies have launched such drinks in the market, which are not made from the Camellia Sinensis plant. Selling these products in the name of ‘tea’ is against the rules. FSSAI has clarified that only that drink will be called ‘tea’ in the packaging and labeling, which is prepared from the Camellia Sinensis plant. This includes Kangra tea, green tea and instant tea. Herbal or other plant based drinks that are not made from Camellia sinensis cannot be called ‘tea’.
FSSAI issued warning
FSSAI has said that violation of this rule will be considered as misleading marketing and mislabeling under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
All business operators have been instructed to follow food safety rules. Do not use the word ‘tea’, directly or indirectly, for any product not made from Camellia sinensis. FSSAI has also asked state authorities to ensure that all traders, whether selling online or offline, fully comply with this rule.
