The New Rule Explained
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has introduced a significant amendment to its labelling regulations, set to take effect from July 1, 2026. The new directive mandates that all packaged coffee-chicory blends must clearly declare
the exact percentage of both ingredients on the front of the pack. Previously, while the presence of chicory had to be mentioned, the specific ratio was often less visible. The new rule requires a format like: “Coffee Blended with Chicory – This mixture contains Coffee __% and Chicory __%.” This change is designed to eliminate ambiguity and prevent consumers from mistaking a blend for pure coffee, ensuring what you see is exactly what you get.
Why Is Chicory in Your Coffee Anyway?
The practice of blending chicory — a roasted and ground plant root — with coffee is a long-standing tradition in India, especially in the southern states. Historically, it began as an economic measure. Chicory is less expensive than coffee beans, so adding it made the final product more affordable and stretched limited coffee supplies, particularly during wartime shortages. Over time, however, many developed a taste for the unique flavour profile it creates. Chicory imparts a distinct, slightly woody and nutty sweetness that balances the bitterness of coffee, particularly the robust Robusta beans commonly grown in India. It also gives the brew a darker colour, thicker body, and a richer aroma, characteristics that define the traditional South Indian filter 'kaapi'.
From Murky Blends to Crystal Clear Labels
Under previous regulations, companies were required to state that a product was a coffee-chicory mixture and ensure the coffee content was not less than 51%. However, the specific percentages were not always prominently displayed, leaving consumers guessing about the exact composition. This lack of transparency meant a blend with 49% chicory and one with 10% chicory could appear similar on the shelf. The FSSAI's push for front-of-pack declaration in a readable font size is a direct response to this issue. The goal is to move beyond simple disclosure to genuine consumer empowerment, making the coffee-to-chicory split impossible for brands to downplay and for shoppers to overlook.
What This Means for Your Morning Brew
This new labelling transparency hands the power back to the consumer. For the first time, shoppers can make a truly informed choice based on their preference for taste, strength, and price. Do you prefer a blend with just a hint of chicory for body (say, an 80/20 split) or a robust, traditional brew with a higher chicory content (like a 60/40 split)? Now, you can compare brands and products with precision. This might also influence how brands market their products. Companies may start highlighting specific ratios as a selling point, catering to different consumer segments—from purists who want 100% coffee to those who seek the classic blended taste. While chicory itself has some reported health benefits, like being a source of prebiotic fibre, the primary impact of this rule is about choice, not nutrition.
A Moment of Truth for the Coffee Industry
For major coffee players, this regulation marks a significant operational shift. The FSSAI provided an 11-month transition period from the announcement in August 2025 to the implementation date of July 1, 2026, allowing companies time to redesign and reprint their packaging. While some brands already offered different blends, the new mandate standardises this information across the board. It forces a level playing field where value can no longer be implied through branding alone; it must be stated in clear percentages. This may lead some brands to reformulate their blends or launch new 'pure coffee' variants more prominently to capture the discerning consumer. Ultimately, the rule aligns the Indian coffee market with global trends favouring greater transparency in the food and beverage industry.
