The New Rule for Your Brew
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has introduced a significant amendment to its labelling regulations that will change how you shop for coffee. Effective from July 1, 2026, manufacturers of coffee-chicory mixtures must declare the
exact percentage of both coffee and chicory on the front of the package. This move is designed to shift this crucial information from the hard-to-read fine print on the back to a prominent spot where consumers can't miss it. The rule applies to all blended products, including traditional coffee-chicory powders and instant mixtures.
So, What Exactly Is Chicory?
For many, especially in South India, chicory is a familiar and even welcome part of their coffee experience. Chicory is a plant whose root can be roasted, ground, and used as a coffee additive or substitute. It is naturally caffeine-free and often blended with coffee for several reasons. Economically, chicory is cheaper than coffee beans, which helps manufacturers manage costs. Aesthetically, it imparts a darker colour, a thicker decoction, and a distinct, slightly bitter taste that is central to the traditional filter coffee profile beloved by millions. The FSSAI's move isn't about demonising chicory, but about providing transparency.
From Fine Print to Front-of-Pack
Under existing regulations, blends of coffee and chicory are permitted, provided the coffee content is not less than 51%. While declaration of the mixture has been a requirement, this information was often tucked away in the ingredients list on the back of the pack. The new amendment, titled the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) First Amendment Regulations, 2025, makes this information impossible to ignore. It mandates a clear, front-of-pack declaration such as: "COFFEE BLENDED WITH CHICORY – THIS MIXTURE CONTAINS COFFEE … %, CHICORY … %". This ensures that at a single glance, a buyer can understand the product's composition without having to search for it.
A Push for Consumer Empowerment
This directive is part of a broader push by the FSSAI to make food labels more transparent and consumer-friendly. In recent years, the regulator has been focused on empowering consumers to make healthier and more informed choices by improving food literacy. Clear labelling is seen as a fundamental consumer right, ensuring that people know exactly what they are purchasing and consuming. The coffee-chicory rule is a specific application of this principle, aiming to prevent potentially misleading packaging and promote fair trade practices in a market where blends are common. After a draft was released for public comment in early 2025, the FSSAI finalised the regulation, giving companies a one-year transition period to comply.
