The New Rule: A Simple Declaration
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a new directive that makes it mandatory for all packaged coffee-chicory mixtures to display the exact percentage of each ingredient clearly on the front of the pack. The rule stipulates
that labels must read “COFFEE...... %, CHICORY…… %”. This applies to both regular and instant coffee blends. To ensure readability, the regulator has even specified minimum font sizes: 1 mm for smaller packs and 2 mm for larger ones. However, you won’t see these changes overnight. Food businesses have been given a transition period, with the new labelling becoming mandatory from July 1, 2027.
An Update on the Update
This new rule is actually a modification of a previous order. In August 2025, FSSAI had initially announced that coffee-chicory blends would need a declaration inside a prominent box on the front of the package, with an original compliance date of July 1, 2026. However, industry stakeholders raised practical concerns, arguing that it was physically difficult to fit the prescribed box on smaller packs, such as single-serve sachets. Acknowledging these challenges, FSSAI put the original 'boxed' notification on hold and introduced the current, more flexible text-based declaration. The deadline was also extended by a year to July 2027, giving companies sufficient time to redesign their packaging artwork and manage existing inventory.
Why Chicory Is in Your Coffee Anyway
The practice of blending roasted and ground chicory root with coffee powder is a long-standing tradition in India, especially popular in the southern states for making filter coffee. Chicory is a plant root that, when roasted, provides a colour and aroma similar to coffee. It adds body and a distinct bitterness to the brew, creating the thicker decoction many prefer. From a commercial standpoint, chicory is also significantly cheaper than coffee beans. While FSSAI regulations already mandate that any product sold as a “coffee-chicory mixture” must contain at least 51% coffee, there was previously no rule requiring the exact ratio to be displayed prominently. This lack of transparency meant consumers couldn't easily tell if they were buying a blend that was 70% coffee or one that was closer to 51%.
What This Means for Your Morning Cup
This new labelling rule is a significant win for consumer rights and transparency. For the first time, you will be able to compare two different brands of coffee-chicory blends and make a decision based not just on price, but on content. A customer who prefers a stronger, purer coffee taste can opt for a blend with a higher coffee percentage, like 85% or 90%. Someone who enjoys the traditional, stronger bitterness of chicory or is looking for a more economical option can knowingly choose a 60/40 or 70/30 blend. Essentially, it moves a key piece of information from the fine print on the back to the front of the pack, empowering you to make a choice that aligns with your taste, budget, and preference for caffeine content, as chicory is naturally caffeine-free.
Part of a Bigger Push for Transparency
This directive is not an isolated event but part of FSSAI's broader strategy to improve food labelling standards across the country. In recent years, the regulator has been pushing for more front-of-pack labelling (FoPL) on various products to highlight key nutritional information like fat, sugar, and salt content. The goal is to simplify complex ingredient lists and give consumers at-a-glance information to make healthier and more informed decisions without needing to be a nutritional expert. The coffee-chicory rule fits perfectly within this philosophy, aiming to eliminate ambiguity and prevent any potentially misleading marketing where a blend might be perceived as pure coffee. It promotes fair competition and encourages manufacturers to be upfront about their product composition.
