Several tea brands tested, only 2 complying with package labelling standards: Consumer forum

Among well-known green tea brands, “only Himalaya and Wagh Bakri clearly mention the tea plant, Camellia sinensis, in their ingredient lists. Other brands fail to disclose the plant name, leaving consumers unaware of the actual source of the tea”, the statement claimed.

It added that the FSSAI has not yet made it mandatory to mention the plant name in the label but “it is desirable in the interest of consumers, in order to distinguish between ‘tea’ and ‘plant infusions’”. Any other products derived from plants should have to be labelled as herbal infusion or Tisane, it said.

Anindita Mehta, CEO of CERC, said, “Clearly stating the source in product labels is essential for informed consumer choices and helps identify authentic tea products. With herbal beverages and packaged teas rapidly growing in popularity, transparent labeling is now more important than ever. FSSAI’s latest directive mandates manufacturers to comply, and consumers are advised to carefully read labels to ensure they know exactly what they are drinking.” The FSSAI notification was issued last month.

(The writer is an intern with the Ahmedabad office of The Indian Express)