The New Rule on Your Coffee Cup
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has introduced a significant update for labelling coffee that contains chicory. The new rule mandates that all packaged coffee-chicory mixtures must prominently display the exact percentage of both
coffee and chicory on the front of the pack. For example, a label will now have to clearly state something like “COFFEE 70%, CHICORY 30%”. This directive, which comes into full effect on July 1, 2027, aims to provide consumers with clear, upfront information about the composition of their beverage. The FSSAI also specified minimum font sizes for this declaration to ensure it is readable, addressing industry concerns about fitting the information on smaller packages.
A Major Shift in Transparency
Previously, the rules were less stringent. While regulations stated that a coffee-chicory mixture must contain at least 51% coffee, the exact blend ratio was not always clear on the front of the package. Some brands could use packaging and names that suggested a product was pure coffee, even when it contained a significant amount of chicory. FSSAI observed that many products in the market were either depicting blends as pure coffee or failing to declare the percentages separately. The new rule closes this loophole by forcing brands to be explicit about the contents, preventing misleading labelling and ensuring the name accurately reflects what's inside.
Why is Chicory in Coffee Anyway?
The practice of blending chicory with coffee has a long history in India, particularly in the South. Chicory is the root of a plant from the dandelion family, which, when roasted and ground, provides a dark colour and a somewhat bitter, robust flavour that complements coffee. Its primary advantage has always been economic; chicory is significantly cheaper than coffee beans. This made coffee more accessible to a wider population. For many, the slightly bitter, stronger taste profile and the thicker decoction it produces for filter coffee became a beloved tradition. However, it is naturally caffeine-free, so a blend will have less caffeine than a pure coffee product.
What This Means at the Supermarket
This labelling change fundamentally alters the shopping experience. You will no longer have to guess or search the fine print to understand a blend. A product named “Filter Coffee” that is actually a 60/40 blend will have to declare “COFFEE 60%, CHICORY 40%” on the front. This empowers you to make a choice based on preference and price. If you prefer the traditional, thicker chicory blend, you can confidently pick the one with your desired ratio. If you are seeking the distinct flavour profile of 100% Arabica or Robusta beans, you can now more easily distinguish pure coffee products from blends at a single glance. It standardises labelling, allowing for fairer comparison between brands.
Empowering the Coffee Lover
Ultimately, this FSSAI directive is a major step forward for consumer rights and transparency in the food industry. It acknowledges that while coffee-chicory blends are an integral part of India's coffee culture, consumers have the right to know precisely what they are purchasing. The rule doesn't ban chicory but rather insists on honesty in how it's presented. For manufacturers, it creates a level playing field where products are judged on their actual contents, not just clever marketing. For coffee lovers across the country, it means every cup they brew will be a more informed and conscious choice.
