The New Rule Explained
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has mandated that all packaged coffee-chicory mixtures must prominently display the exact percentage of each ingredient on the front of the pack. This means you will see clear declarations like
“Coffee 70%, Chicory 30%” on the Principal Display Panel. This directive, which comes into effect on July 1, 2027, aims to boost transparency and standardize labelling across the industry. The rule was refined after industry stakeholders raised concerns about fitting bulky declarations on smaller packs, leading FSSAI to approve a simpler, text-based format with specific font size requirements.
What is Chicory, and Why Is It in Coffee?
Chicory is a plant whose root, when roasted and ground, has a flavour profile similar to coffee but is naturally caffeine-free. Historically, it was popularised in 19th-century France as a way to stretch coffee supplies during shortages. In India, particularly in the South, blending chicory with coffee became a cultural tradition. It is added for several reasons: it's more economical than coffee, it imparts a darker colour and a fuller body, and it adds a distinct nutty, caramel-like sweetness that many people enjoy. It also contains inulin, a prebiotic fibre that can support gut health. The presence of chicory is not an issue of quality, but one of consumer choice and transparency.
Why This Change Empowers You
For years, while regulations required coffee-chicory blends to contain at least 51% coffee, the exact proportions were not always clear to the buyer at a glance. This lack of front-of-pack transparency meant consumers couldn't easily differentiate between a blend that was mostly coffee and one with a much higher chicory content. The new FSSAI rule changes that. By mandating a clear percentage breakdown, it allows you to make informed decisions based on your taste preference, budget, and desired caffeine intake. It ensures you are getting what you pay for and can easily compare different brands to find the perfect blend for your palate.
Your New Coffee Shopping Checklist
When the rule is enforced, your coffee buying process will be much simpler. Instead of guessing, you can look directly at the front of any coffee-chicory blend package. Look for the “COFFEE...% CHICORY...%” declaration. A higher coffee percentage generally means a more classic coffee flavour and higher caffeine content. A higher chicory percentage will likely result in a bolder, slightly sweeter, and more robust brew with less caffeine, characteristic of traditional South Indian filter coffee decoctions. This simple addition to the label puts the control back in your hands, allowing you to choose based on knowledge rather than brand familiarity alone.
Impact on the Coffee Industry
This move is part of a broader push by FSSAI for greater accuracy and transparency in food labelling across India. Coffee manufacturers and importers will need to update their packaging artwork and internal compliance systems to meet the July 2027 deadline. While this involves redesign and modification costs, the regulation is expected to level the playing field, promote fair competition, and ultimately build greater consumer trust. By ensuring that terms like “Pure Coffee” are reserved for single-ingredient products, the FSSAI is clamping down on potentially misleading marketing and ensuring that what's on the label is exactly what's in the pack.
