The Old Way of Labeling
For years, many popular coffee brands in India have blended coffee with chicory, a roasted root that adds body, colour, and a distinct flavour. Regulations have long required that any product sold as a 'coffee-chicory mixture' must contain at least 51%
coffee. While manufacturers were also required to state the percentage of each ingredient, this information was often found in small print on the back of the package. This placement made it difficult for shoppers to quickly assess the blend's composition, often leading to confusion between pure coffee and blended varieties. According to FSSAI examinations, many brands were not fully compliant with even these less stringent labelling rules, making it hard for consumers to make informed choices.
The New Mandate: Clarity on the Front
The FSSAI's updated directive is a significant shift toward consumer empowerment. Under the new rules, manufacturers of packaged coffee containing chicory must declare the exact percentage of both ingredients prominently on the front of the package. The declaration must follow a clear format, such as "COFFEE ... %, CHICORY ... %", making it impossible to miss. This applies to both regular coffee-chicory mixtures and instant versions. The goal is to provide at-a-glance transparency, allowing consumers to immediately understand the product's composition without having to search through fine print.
Why the Change Was Made
The primary driver behind this regulatory update is consumer transparency. The FSSAI aims to ensure that when a consumer buys a coffee product, they know exactly what they are getting. Chicory is a common and accepted part of many coffee blends, particularly in the South Indian filter coffee tradition, but its presence and proportion directly affect the final product's taste, caffeine content, and cost. A higher chicory content generally results in a bolder, more bitter taste, a thicker decoction, and a lower price point, but also less caffeine. By mandating front-of-pack declarations, the regulator empowers consumers to choose a blend that precisely matches their preference for taste, strength, and budget.
An Evolving Timeline for Industry
The path to implementation has seen some adjustments. An initial notification in August 2025 set a compliance date of July 1, 2026, and required the declaration to be in a specific boxed format. However, industry stakeholders raised concerns about the practicality of fitting this box on smaller retail packs. In response, the FSSAI showed flexibility. The regulator deferred the original notification and introduced a simplified text-based declaration. Most importantly, the final deadline for compliance has been extended to July 1, 2027. This gives manufacturers, importers, and marketers ample time to redesign their packaging, manage existing inventory, and align with the new standards.
What This Means for Your Next Coffee Purchase
For the Indian coffee drinker, this is a positive change. Once the rule is in full effect, comparing different brands of coffee-chicory blends will be much simpler. Shoppers can look directly at the front of the pack to see the ratio, for example, 'Coffee: 70%, Chicory: 30%' versus 'Coffee: 55%, Chicory: 45%'. This will allow for more meaningful comparisons on price and quality. If you prefer a brew closer to pure coffee, you might look for a blend with a low chicory percentage (under 20%). If you enjoy the traditional, bolder taste and thicker body, a higher chicory content might be your preference. The power to make that choice, based on clear and visible information, will now be firmly in your hands.
