Drinks created from Camellia sinensis leaves can solely be branded as “tea.” file. |Photograph credit score: Okay. Ananthan
Rooibos, natural or flower teas promoted as well being drinks might quickly lose their “tea” tag.
The Meals Security and Requirements Authority of India (FSSAI) issued an evidence on December 24, asserting {that a} beverage qualifies to be known as tea solely whether it is of plant origin. Camellia sinensis.
Granular or dried leaf tea has historically been processed from plucked tea leaves. Camellia sinensis Throughout tea plantations, massive and small, in India. Plantation staff sometimes pluck two leaves and one bud (the tender tip of an unopened new bud) from the plant’s branches.
“FSSAI has seen that some meals enterprise operators (FBOs) are promoting merchandise that aren’t obtained from factories. Camellia sinensis “With ‘tea’ names akin to ‘rooibos tea,’ ‘natural tea,’ and ‘flower tea,'” the discover stated.
Citing the requirements laid out in Clause 2.10.1 of the Meals Security and Requirements (Meals Requirements and Meals Components) Guidelines, 2011, FSSAI stated that tea, together with Kangra tea, inexperienced tea and strong on the spot tea, have to be completely of Japanese origin. Camellia sinensis.
The meals security regulator additionally cited sub-regulation (1) of Regulation 5 of the Meals Security and Requirements (Labeling and Presentation) Guidelines, 2020, which offers that each bundle shall bear the identify of the meals on the entrance of the bundle indicating the true nature of the meals contained within the bundle.
“Subsequently, the phrase ‘tea’ can’t be used instantly or not directly for decoctions or blends derived from different plant-based or natural sources. Camellia sinensis That is deceptive and quantities to misbranding below the provisions of the Meals Security and Requirements Act, 2006 and the principles or rules made thereunder,” FSSAI stated.
Moreover, we additionally talked about that plant-based or natural infusions or blends should not plant-based. Camellia sinensis, It would not should be known as tea. “Based mostly on the components used, these merchandise might fall below the ambit of the Proprietary Meals (or) Meals Security and Requirements (Approval of Non-Particular Meals and Meals Components) Rules, 2017,” FSSAI stated.
All FBOs, together with e-commerce, engaged in manufacturing, packaging, advertising, importing and promoting such merchandise have been directed to adjust to the provisions of the Meals Security Requirements Rules and to not use the time period ‘tea’ for merchandise that aren’t derived from black tea. Camellia sinensis.
The meals security regulator has additionally requested the meals security commissioners of all states and union territories and regional administrators of FSSAI to strictly adhere to the definition of tea and take obligatory motion in case of non-compliance by FBOs.
The tea business has welcomed FSSAI’s clarification.
“This tea definition additionally helps take away quite a lot of ambiguity and removes litter and confusion from customers’ minds. Even the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration acknowledges the next tea origins:” Camellia sinensis It ought to solely be used as a well being drink and never as an natural decoction,” stated Bidyananda Balkakoti, advisor, North Jap Tea Affiliation. hinduism Thursday (December 25, 2025).
