FSSAI bans ashwagandha leaves in food, supplements; only roots permitted

FSSAI's directive restricts ashwagandha use to roots and root extracts in food products, nutraceuticals and dietary supplements. Wellness brands and FBOs must reformulate, relabel and tighten compliance under the Food Safety and Standards Act, disrupting a fast-growing herbal supplements category.

— Source publishedSat, 6 Jun, 2026, 21:38 IST·First seen Sat, 6 Jun, 2026, 22:41 IST·Source Financial Express · BrandWagon

What happened

FSSAI has banned the use of ashwagandha leaves in food products, nutraceuticals and dietary supplements, permitting only roots and root extracts. The directive

Why this matters

Scan for distressed leaf-dependent ashwagandha brands as bolt-on targets and prioritize partnerships with root-extract suppliers to lock in compliant supply ahead of competitor scrambles.