The New Rule Explained
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has mandated a major change in how coffee-chicory mixtures are labelled. Starting from July 1, 2027, all packaged coffee products containing chicory must prominently declare the exact percentage
of both ingredients on the front of the pack. This means you will see a clear, straightforward declaration, such as “COFFEE 70%, CHICORY 30%,” right on the main display panel. The rule applies to both regular and instant coffee-chicory mixtures. This move is designed to bring greater transparency to the market, ensuring you know precisely what you are buying with a single glance.
Why This Change Was Necessary
For years, consumers have been largely in the dark about the composition of their favourite coffee blends. While chicory is a common additive in Indian coffee, particularly in southern states, used to add body, colour, and reduce cost, the exact ratio was often unclear. Packages might have been labelled as a “blend,” but the proportion of chicory—a cheaper root that is caffeine-free and has a different taste profile—was not always specified. This lack of transparency made it difficult for consumers to judge a product's quality and value, and to make choices based on their taste preference or caffeine sensitivity. The FSSAI's new regulation addresses this gap directly, aiming to prevent misleading claims and standardize labelling practices across the industry.
How to Read the New Labels
When the rule comes into full effect, checking your coffee will be simple. Look at the front of the package for a declaration that explicitly states the percentages. The FSSAI has specified the format as “COFFEE...... %, CHICORY......... %” to be displayed clearly on the Principal Display Panel (PDP). The regulator has even set minimum font sizes for this declaration to ensure it's readable: 1mm for smaller packs and 2mm for larger ones. This removes any ambiguity. If a product contains any chicory at all, it must be labelled as a “Coffee-Chicory Mixture” and must contain at least 51% coffee by mass. If it doesn't have this declaration, you can be more confident that you are buying 100% coffee.
Timeline and Industry Response
The journey to this new rule involved a few adjustments. An initial notification was made in August 2025, setting a compliance date of July 1, 2026. However, industry stakeholders raised practical concerns, particularly about fitting the required information on smaller packages. In response, the FSSAI provided a simpler text-based option and extended the deadline. The final date for all manufacturers, importers, and marketers to comply with the new labelling is now July 1, 2027. This extension gives companies adequate time to update their packaging, manage existing stock, and align with the new framework for transparency.
