What is the New FSSAI Rule?
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has mandated a significant change in how coffee-chicory blends are labelled. According to the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) First Amendment Regulations, 2025, every package of “Coffee
Blended with Chicory” or “Instant Coffee-Chicory Mixture” must now prominently declare the exact percentage of coffee and chicory on the front of the pack. This directive will come into force on July 1, 2026, giving manufacturers time to update their packaging to comply with the new, more transparent standards. The move is part of a broader effort by the regulator to empower consumers and prevent misleading information on packaged goods.
Why is Chicory in Your Coffee Anyway?
The practice of blending chicory root with coffee has a long history, born out of necessity. It dates back to 19th-century France, where coffee scarcity and high prices during wartime led people to mix in roasted chicory root to stretch their supply. This tradition travelled to other parts of the world, including South India, where chicory-blended filter coffee is now a beloved staple. There are a few reasons for its continued use. Economically, chicory is less expensive than coffee, making the final product more affordable. Taste-wise, roasted chicory imparts a unique, slightly woody and nutty flavour, adds body and a caramel-like sweetness, and can balance the bitterness of coffee, resulting in a brew that many find richer and smoother. It also creates a thicker decoction, a quality prized in traditional filter coffee.
The Push for Greater Transparency
This new regulation is fundamentally about consumer rights. For years, while the presence of chicory was mentioned, the exact proportions were often unclear, leaving buyers to guess the ratio of coffee to filler. FSSAI’s move aims to stop brands from potentially misleading customers into thinking they are buying pure or high-concentration coffee when it might be a blend dominated by the less expensive chicory. Legally, a coffee-chicory mixture must contain at least 51% coffee by mass. However, the new rule goes a step further by requiring the exact breakdown. This ensures consumers can make informed choices based on taste preference, caffeine content (chicory is naturally caffeine-free), and budget. It aligns with FSSAI's broader mission to ensure labels are clear, factual, and not deceptive.
How This Empowers You, the Consumer
This simple label change puts the power back in your hands. Now, you can directly compare different brands and their blends. If you prefer a stronger, more authentic coffee flavour, you can look for packs with a higher coffee percentage, like 85% or 90%. If you enjoy the unique taste and thicker body that chicory provides, or are looking for a more budget-friendly option with lower caffeine, you can confidently choose a blend with a higher chicory content, such as 30% or 40%. This transparency allows you to tailor your purchase to your exact preferences without any guesswork. You'll no longer have to rely on brand loyalty or marketing claims; the facts will be clearly displayed for you to see and decide for yourself what constitutes the perfect cup.
What to Look for on Your Next Coffee Run
Starting from July 2026, when you pick up a pack of coffee that isn't labelled '100% Coffee', look at the front label. You should see a clear declaration, such as “COFFEE BLENDED WITH CHICORY – THIS MIXTURE CONTAINS COFFEE … %, CHICORY … %”. For instant coffee, the label will read “INSTANT COFFEE-CHICORY MIXTURE” with a similar percentage breakdown. This information will help you understand the product's profile at a glance. A higher coffee percentage generally means a more classic coffee taste and a higher caffeine kick. A higher chicory percentage will result in a bolder, more robust, slightly sweeter flavour with less caffeine. By paying attention to these numbers, you can become a smarter shopper, ensuring the coffee you bring home is exactly what you want to be drinking.
