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.
Source: AHPA