Here’s a professional, TESDA-aligned, and regulatory-safe module on Food-Grade vs Medicinal Plant Classification, tailored for Oud Academia, TESDA training, and agroforestry leaf production. This focuses on regulatory distinction and practical application, especially for Aquilaria spp. leaves.
Food-Grade vs Medicinal Plant Classification
Regulatory & Training Perspective
1. Core Principle
Not all plant parts are food. Not all are medicine. Proper classification ensures safety, compliance, and market suitability.
- Food-grade: Plant parts consumed as beverages or food, processed under food safety standards, without therapeutic claims.
- Medicinal: Plant parts used for health claims, under pharmaceutical or herbal medicine regulation, often requiring permits.
2. Key Differences
| Aspect | Food-Grade | Medicinal / Therapeutic |
|---|---|---|
| Intended Use | Beverage, culinary | Treatment, prevention, remedy |
| Regulatory Body (Philippines) | FDA-Food | FDA-Drug / Traditional Medicine |
| Plant Parts | Leaves, fruits, edible flowers | Roots, bark, resin, herbs with pharmacological activity |
| Processing | Drying, infusion, decoction | Extraction, concentration, formulation |
| Claims Allowed | Flavor, aroma, wellness (non-therapeutic) | Therapeutic, pharmacological, disease-related |
| TESDA Training Suitability | High | Limited, must focus on safety/knowledge |
3. Application to Aquilaria spp.
| Plant Part | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves | ✅ Food-grade | Used for herbal tea; no medicinal claims |
| Resin (Oud) | ❌ Non-food / Cosmetic / Perfume | Not for oral consumption; regulated as fragrance/incense |
| Heartwood | ❌ Non-food | Only for perfumery / traditional rituals |
| Flowers / Seeds | ⚠️ Check traditional use | Only food if historically consumed |
Training emphasis: Only leaves are included in food-grade tea courses.
4. Practical Regulatory Considerations
- Labeling:
- Food-grade: “Herbal tea,” “Botanical infusion,” “Caffeine-free”
- Medicinal: Requires product registration, dosing instructions, and claim substantiation
- Claims:
- Food-grade: Flavor, aroma, relaxation
- Medicinal: Cannot imply disease prevention or treatment without permits
- Harvest & Processing:
- Food-grade: Hygienic handling, drying, packaging
- Medicinal: GMP, extraction facilities, testing for active compounds
5. TESDA-Aligned Learning Outcomes
After this module, learners can:
- Distinguish food-grade vs medicinal plant parts
- Identify which Aquilaria parts are safe for tea
- Apply regulatory-safe processing and labeling
- Communicate the distinction responsibly to consumers
6. Regulatory Disclaimer
This module focuses on classification for educational purposes. It does not constitute medical advice or authorize unregistered therapeutic claims.
✅ Ideal For:
- TESDA CBLM modules & assessment
- Oud Academia food-grade herbal tea courses
- Infographics for farmers and trainees
- Plantation SOPs and product labeling guides
I can next create:
- A clear infographic showing Food-Grade vs Medicinal parts of Aquilaria
- A practical decision flowchart for labeling & harvesting
- Integration into your TESDA package with batch coding and harvest logs
Do you want me to make the infographic next?