India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) has issued a clear rule: only drinks made from the Camellia sinensis plant can be called ‘tea’. On December 24, FSSAI stated that beverages like Rooibos Tea, Herbal Tea, and Flower Tea don’t qualify as tea since they come from other plants. Traditionally, tea in India is made from leaves plucked from Camellia sinensis plants. The regulator noted that using the word ‘tea’ for non-Camellia products is misleading and breaks food safety laws. FSSAI pointed out that all packaging must show the true nature of the product. Drinks not made from Camellia sinensis fall under proprietary foods and cannot be labeled as tea. The authority asked all manufacturers, sellers, and online platforms to stop calling these herbal or plant-based drinks ‘tea’. State and regional food safety officers have been asked to enforce the rule strictly. Tea industry experts welcomed the move. Bidyananda Barkakoty, adviser of the North Eastern Tea Association, told The Hindu, "This definition of tea will remove a lot of ambiguity from the consumers’ minds, and will also help remove clutter and confusion. Even the United States Food and Drug Administration has recognised tea derived from Camellia Sinensis only as a healthy beverage, not herbal infusions.” This decision aims to protect consumers and ensure clarity in the growing market for tea and herbal drinks.