Herbal Tea Labeling: Latin Names, Batch Codes, and Dates

Why labeling matters for herbal tea

If you blend and sell herbal tea through Shopify, your label does more than look pretty. It quietly answers three questions for your customer and any inspector:

• What is this product?
• What is it made from?
• Who made it, and how can I trace it if something goes wrong?

In the United States, most simple herbal teas without health claims are treated as food, so general food-labeling principles apply: a clear name, net quantity, ingredient list, and business information.Source - eCFRSource - FDA Many small tea brands also add batch codes and dates for quality and traceability, even when not explicitly required.

“Consistent, legible labeling and lot coding are the foundation of traceability for any herbal product.” – Mary Bove, ND, herbal educator, quoted in American herbal manufacturing training materials, on best practices in herbal product labeling.Source - American Herbalists Guild

Traceability truly matters: one recent tea recall involved almost nine hundred thousand bags due to residue issues, illustrating why lot codes and documentation can be critical for even small brands.Source - Spackmachine

Core elements of a herbal tea label

Below is a practical breakdown of label pieces most small herbal tea makers include, in line with food-labeling guidance.

Product identity and common name

Your label needs a clear product name that tells people what they are buying. For herbal blends treated as food, guidance suggests a “statement of identity” using the common or usual name, such as Herbal Tea Blend or Chamomile Mint Herbal Tea.Source - TeaRetailerSource - FDA

• Place it on the front (principal display panel).
• Use a size reasonably related to your most prominent text.
• Keep it descriptive enough that customers can understand the type of product at a glance.

Ingredients: common and Latin names

Food-labeling rules call for all ingredients to be listed in descending order of predominance by weight, using their common or usual names.Source - eCFRSource - TeaRetailer For herbal tea, that may look like:

• Common names first, because they are easier for customers to recognize.
• Latin names in parentheses after each herb, for clarity and professionalism.

Example line:

Ingredients: Peppermint (Mentha × piperita) leaf, Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) flower, Rose (Rosa spp.) petal.

Adding Latin names can help distinguish similar common names and reduce confusion – for example, between different chamomile species. Many herbal organizations emphasize using Latin names in educational and professional contexts for precision.Source - American Herbalists Guild

Net quantity of contents

Food guidance expects a clear declaration of net quantity (for example, weight of loose leaf tea or count and weight of tea bags). This is usually expressed in both metric and customary units for foods.Source - TeaRetailerSource - FDA

For Shopify sellers, match your product page info to your label to avoid confusion and returns.

Business name, contact, and origin

Food-label guidance calls for the name and address of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor on the label so a consumer can contact you.Source - FDASource - Shizuokatea Many herbal producers also include:

• Website or email address.
• Country of origin statement if herbs are imported, such as “Blended in [region] from imported ingredients.”Source - TeaRetailer

Batch codes and traceability

Batch or lot codes link a package of tea to a specific production run. While general food labeling focuses on core identity and content information, herbal organizations strongly encourage lot coding so that any quality concern can be traced back to a particular batch.Source - American Herbalists Guild

A simple code might combine:

• Product initials.
• Production run sequence or internal batch number.
• Blending or packing date in a format your team understands.

Keep a matching log that notes which ingredients, suppliers, and processes went into that batch. This record becomes invaluable if you ever need to investigate a quality issue.

Date marking: best-by and packed-on

Food-label guidance permits statements such as “Best if used by” or similar quality-related date marking for foods.Source - BEX Foods Herbal teas are generally low-moisture and shelf-stable when stored properly, but aromatic compounds and flavors fade over time.

For small herbal tea brands, consider including:

• A “Packed on” or “Blended on” date for internal tracking.
• A “Best by” date based on your own stability observations and storage assumptions.

Pair this with simple storage guidance such as “Store in a cool, dry place away from direct light” to help your tea retain aroma and flavor.

Execution guide for Shopify herbal tea labels

Plan your label layout

Before designing, sketch a rough layout of your label panels:

• Front (principal display panel): product identity, key flavor name, net weight.
• Back or side (information panel): ingredients, preparation directions, business info, batch code, date marking.

Label guidance notes that required information must be conspicuous and in a type size that is easy to read.Source - FDA On a small tea pouch, that may mean choosing fewer decorative fonts and more clean, legible type.

Write your ingredient panel

Start from your formula document and list ingredients in descending order by weight, using common names first and optionally Latin names in parentheses.Source - eCFR

• Group similar ingredients only if they are functionally the same (for example, “natural flavors”).
• Call out any major allergens clearly if present, in line with food allergen labeling norms.Source - Digicomply

Review spelling carefully; incorrect Latin names can cause confusion or misidentification, especially for foraged or less common herbs.

Set up batch coding and records

Decide on a batch code format that is easy to apply and decode internally, then:

• Print or stamp it in the same place on every pouch or tin.
• Maintain a batch log noting suppliers, lot numbers of each herb, and blend weights.

Herbal professional groups emphasize recordkeeping so that, if a quality issue arises, you can quickly locate all affected units and respond effectively.Source - American Herbalists Guild

Add dates and storage guidance

For each product, decide on a realistic quality window based on your herbs, packaging, and storage assumptions. Then:

• Add “Best by” on the back panel near the batch code.
• Optionally include “Blended on” or “Packed on” for your own tracking.
• Include simple storage guidance such as “Reseal tightly. Store in a cool, dry place.”

Clear dating and storage guidance help customers enjoy the tea at its best and reduce complaints about flavor loss.

Align your Shopify listings

Once your physical labels are set, mirror the same core information on your Shopify product pages:

• Use the same product name or a very close variant.
• Copy the ingredient list exactly, including Latin names if present.
• Mention net weight and any key storage notes.

Consistency between your label and your online listing reduces confusion, helps with customer trust, and supports search visibility around specific botanicals.

Tips and common mistakes

Here are practical, label-focused points many herbal tea makers only learn after a few runs.

• Don’t make disease claims. Once you say a tea “treats” or “prevents” a disease, it may be treated differently under regulatory frameworks.Source - American Herbalists Guild
• Use Latin names thoughtfully. They add clarity but can clutter small labels; consider using them once in the ingredients panel.
• Check legibility on real packaging. Print a sample label at size and test in normal lighting.
• Keep flavor names and identity aligned. If you use a fanciful name, pair it with a descriptive identity such as “Herbal Tea Blend.”Source - TeaRetailer
• Review local requirements if you expand. Different regions may have additional expectations for language, measurement units, or organic claims.Source - Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine

Who should NOT use specific herbal teas

Labeling will not replace personal medical advice, but you can gently encourage appropriate caution.

• People with known allergies to specific herbs or plants in your blend.
• Individuals who are pregnant, nursing, on prescription medications, or managing medical conditions without consulting a qualified professional.
• Children, unless a knowledgeable clinician has suggested specific herbs and amounts.
• Anyone experiencing unexpected symptoms after drinking an herbal tea; they should stop use and seek care.

Bringing it all together

Thoughtful herbal tea labels balance beauty with clarity. When you combine common and Latin names, batch codes, and date markings with simple, honest language, your packaging starts to feel like a quiet conversation with your customer: this is what you’re buying, this is what’s inside, and this is how to enjoy it at its best.

As your Shopify store grows, revisit your labels periodically. Small updates – such as clearer ingredient order, more legible fonts, or more precise botanical names – may help your herbal tea line feel more trustworthy, more transparent, and more aligned with best practices for food products.

FAQ: Herbal tea labeling

Do I have to use Latin names on herbal tea labels?

Latin names are not usually required for foods, but many herbal companies use them to avoid confusion and support precision about plant identity. Common names are easier for most customers to read; Latin names can appear in parentheses in your ingredient list.Source - American Herbalists Guild

Are batch codes mandatory for herbal tea?

General food labeling focuses on identity, content, and business information, but herbal professional groups strongly recommend batch or lot codes to support traceability and good manufacturing practices.Source - American Herbalists Guild

Do I need a Nutrition Facts panel on herbal tea?

Many plain teas and herbal teas are exempt from detailed Nutrition Facts panels, though some brands include them, especially if they make nutritional or antioxidant-related statements.Source - TeaRetailer

How should I handle organic claims on my label?

Organic references usually require certification under the relevant organic program if you label the product itself as organic, while single certified organic ingredients may be noted in the ingredient list according to organic labeling guidance.Source - Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine

Where can I learn more about food labeling rules?

To go deeper on the technical side, consider reading general food-labeling guidance and checking current food labeling regulations for your region.Source - FDASource - eCFR

Safety and sources

Herbal tea labeling intersects with food regulations and, in some cases, health-related claims. The information here is educational and may not reflect all nuances of current rules in every jurisdiction. For more detail and updates, consider consulting:

• Food Labeling Guide – U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Source - FDA
• Food Labeling Regulations – 21 CFR Part 101.Source - eCFR
• Legal and Regulatory FAQs – American Herbalists Guild.Source - American Herbalists Guild
• Tea Packaging Requirements – overview of tea labeling expectations.Source - TeaRetailer
• Legalities of Herbal Products Businesses – organic and herbal product considerations.Source - Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine

This article is for informational purposes and is not legal advice. Many people work with a food-labeling consultant or regulatory professional when finalizing packaging for broader distribution.