FSSAI Redefines ‘Tea’, Restricts Label to Camellia Sinensis Products

Brief By Newsbrief / 5:40 PM on 25 Dec 2025

Amid debates over food definitions, the Centre has revised the definition of tea. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India clarified that only products made from the Camellia sinensis plant can be labelled as tea. FSSAI warned food business operators that herbal or flower-based drinks branded as tea would attract action for misleading advertising and incorrect labelling.