India's FSSAI Bans Use of Ashwagandha Leaves in Food and Supplements
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5 SourcesNew Delhi, India
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India's FSSAI Bans Use of Ashwagandha Leaves in Food and Supplements

India's Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI), supported by the Ministry of AYUSH, has banned the use of ashwagandha leaves and their extracts in food products, supplements, and nutraceuticals due to safety concerns, including potential liver and neurotoxic effects. The regulation permits only the use of ashwagandha roots and their extracts, which have a longer history of safe use in Ayurvedic medicine. Manufacturers are required to comply with labeling rules, and state authorities have been directed to enforce the ban and take legal action against violations.

Political Bias
0%100%0%
Sentiment
57%
AI analysis of 3 sources · Published under editorial oversight by The Balanced News
Analysed 21 Apr 2026· How this analysis is produced· Editorial standards· Corrections

AI Analysis

Political bias across 5 sources
● Left 0%● Center 100%● Right 0%

The article group presents a regulatory and health-focused perspective without evident political framing. Sources emphasize official positions from FSSAI and the Ministry of AYUSH, along with expert opinions on safety. There is no partisan commentary or political debate, focusing instead on public health and compliance issues.

Sentiment — Neutral (57/100)

The overall tone across the articles is neutral to cautious, highlighting safety concerns and regulatory actions without sensationalism. Expert insights provide context on traditional uses and modern safety standards, balancing reassurance about permitted root use with warnings about leaf extracts. The coverage is informative and measured.

How 3 sources covered this story

Each source's own headline, political lean, and sentiment — so you can see framing differences at a glance.

SourceTheir headlineBiasSentiment
news18Using Ashwagandha? FSSAI Flags Leaf Use As Experts Clarify What's SafeCenterNeutral
firstpostWhy has India banned the use of ashwagandha leaves?CenterNeutral
indianexpressUsing ashwagandha? After food regulator issues a ban on leaves, experts weigh inCenterNeutral

Coverage timeline

indianexpress broke this story on 20 Apr, 04:41 pm. Other outlets followed.

  1. 1
    indianexpress20 Apr, 04:41 pm
    Using ashwagandha? After food regulator issues a ban on leaves, experts weigh in
  2. 2
    firstpost21 Apr, 06:08 am
    Why has India banned the use of ashwagandha leaves?
  3. 3
    news1821 Apr, 06:55 am
    Using Ashwagandha? FSSAI Flags Leaf Use As Experts Clarify What's Safe

Lens Score breakdown

38/100
Public interest0/100
Coverage gap100%

Story is receiving appropriate media attention relative to public interest.

Who's involved

Institutions and figures named across source coverage.

Government
State AuthoritiesMinistry of AYUSHFood Safety and Standards Authority of IndiaUnion Ministry of Ayush
Corporate
BaidyanathPatanjali AyurvedaDabur IndiaHimalaya WellnessEmami

Story context

Category
Social
Location
New Delhi, India
Sources analysed
5
Last analysed
21 Apr 2026
Key entities
Withania somniferaFood Safety and Standards Authority of IndiaNutraceuticalFood safetyIndiaPlantHepatotoxicityDietary supplementAyurvedaGastrointestinal diseaseNeurotoxicityNew Delhi