FSSAI bars food firms from terming herbal infusions ‘tea’, Pg14

Key Highlights:

• FSSAI has prohibited food companies from using the term 'tea' for herbal infusions not derived from Camellia sinensis.
• The directive addresses the misbranding of products like 'herbal tea' and 'flower tea'.
• FSSAI regulations state that the term 'tea' is exclusively for beverages from Camellia sinensis.

Detailed Insights:

• The FSSAI's directive aims to prevent misleading marketing practices by food business operators.
• This action ensures consumers are not misled into thinking herbal infusions are traditional tea.
• Camellia sinensis is the plant from which true teas like green tea, black tea, and oolong tea are derived.

Key Concepts Involved:

• FSSAI: A statutory body responsible for ensuring food safety and standards in India.
• Misbranding: The act of labeling a product with false or misleading information.
• Camellia sinensis: The plant species from which all types of true tea are made.