High Court stays FSSAI advisory banning ashwagandha leaves in supplements

• By: AHPA
• On: 05/19/2026 05:55:23
• In: Regulation / Legislation

May 19, 2026

The Karnataka High Court, the highest judicial authority of the Indian state of Karnataka, has issued an interim stay on the enforcement of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) advisory that sought to ban the use of ashwagandha leaves or extracts that contain leaf in health supplements. The court's decision comes in response to petitions filed by industry stakeholders challenging the April 16 advisory, which clarified that only ashwagandha roots and their extracts are permitted under current regulations.

Petitioners argued that the abrupt restriction bypassed formal regulatory amendment procedures under existing food safety frameworks and would severely disrupt longstanding manufacturing practices. The High Court granted the interim stay specifically to the petitioners involved in the case to provide temporary relief while the legal arguments are considered. The court has scheduled a follow-up hearing for June 8, to allow regulatory authorities time to file their formal objections.

AHPA is closely tracking these developments alongside our Ayurvedic Products Committee to evaluate how these ongoing determinations impact the broader global marketplace. Our focus remains on supporting regulatory clarity that is grounded in sound science, ensuring a stable and reliable supply of high-quality botanical ingredients for consumers. AHPA will provide further updates as additional information from the upcoming proceedings becomes available.