The New Rule on Your Coffee Pack
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has updated its labelling regulations for coffee. From July 1, 2027, all packaged coffee products containing chicory must clearly state the exact percentage of both ingredients on the front of the pack.
This means you will see a simple declaration, such as “COFFEE 70%, CHICORY 30%,” right on the main display panel. This rule replaces older, less clear guidelines and aims to give consumers straightforward information. The initial plan had a 2026 deadline, but after industry feedback about the challenges of redesigning small packages, FSSAI extended the timeline and simplified the format, ensuring the rule is practical for all manufacturers.
Why Is Chicory in Coffee Anyway?
The practice of blending coffee with chicory has a long history in India, rooted in both economics and taste. Chicory is a plant whose roasted root can be ground to resemble coffee powder. Historically, it was used to extend coffee supplies when beans were scarce or expensive. However, many people developed a taste for the blend. Chicory adds a unique, slightly woody and sweet flavour, reduces bitterness, and creates a thicker, darker decoction, which is characteristic of traditional South Indian filter coffee. It is also naturally caffeine-free, which means blends with higher chicory content have less caffeine. For many, the chicory blend is not an adulteration but a cherished tradition.
From Murky Blends to Clear Choices
Previously, while manufacturers had to mention that a product was a coffee-chicory mixture, the exact proportions were often unclear, hidden in the fine print, or not specified at all. This left consumers in the dark about how much actual coffee they were buying. A product labelled as a coffee blend could contain anywhere up to 49% chicory, as FSSAI regulations only mandate that the coffee content must be at least 51%. This lack of transparency made it difficult for consumers to compare brands or consistently buy a blend that matched their taste preference, whether they enjoy a strong, coffee-forward brew or a milder, chicory-heavy one.
How This Empowers You, The Consumer
This new FSSAI directive is a significant win for consumer rights and transparency. With clear front-of-pack percentages, you can finally make a truly informed choice. If you are a purist seeking 100% coffee, you can easily identify and avoid the blends. If you enjoy the traditional filter coffee taste, you can now find your preferred ratio—whether it's a robust 80:20 coffee-to-chicory blend or a milder 60:40 mix—and stick with it. This move allows you to pay for what you want, rewarding brands that are transparent about their ingredients. It puts the power back in your hands, allowing you to choose a product based on taste, caffeine content, and budget.
What This Means for the Coffee Industry
The coffee industry, from large corporations to smaller producers, will need to adapt their packaging to comply with the new rule by the 2027 deadline. While this requires an initial investment in redesign, it also levels the playing field. Brands can no longer use ambiguous labelling to sell a product with a high percentage of lower-cost chicory as if it were comparable to a high-coffee blend. The regulation promotes fair competition by encouraging honesty. Ultimately, this change will push the industry towards greater transparency, where the quality and composition of the product are clear, helping to build greater consumer trust in the long run.
