Recent in News

0.1 The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has tightened FSSAI norms on tea, restricting the use of the term “tea”.
0.2 FSSAI clarified that only products derived from Camellia sinensis can be labelled and marketed as tea.

Key Directive

0.3 FSSAI observed misuse of the term “tea” for herbal infusions and plant-based beverages not made from Camellia sinensis.
0.4 Such usage has been termed misleading to consumers and amounts to misbranding under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Products Not Allowed to Use ‘Tea’ Label

0.5 Products such as “herbal tea”, “rooibos tea”, and “flower tea” do not meet the legal definition of tea.
0.6 Beverages made from herbs, flowers, or other plants cannot be sold using the word “tea” under FSSAI norms on tea.

What Qualifies as Tea (As per Regulations)

0.7 Only infusions prepared from Camellia sinensis qualify as tea.
0.8 Recognised varieties include green tea, Kangra tea, and instant tea.

Compliance Directions

0.9 All food business operators — manufacturers, packers, marketers, importers, sellers, and e-commerce platforms — have been directed to stop using the term “tea” for non-compliant products.
0.10 Non-compliance will be treated as a violation of food safety laws.

Enforcement

0.11 State food safety authorities have been instructed to strictly enforce correct labelling norms across offline and online platforms.

Background / Static Facts (Prelims-oriented)

0.12 FSSAI is a statutory body established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
0.13 It functions under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
0.14 FSSAI is responsible for setting food standards and regulating the manufacture, storage, distribution, sale, and import of food to ensure safe and wholesome food.