Key Development

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has announced changes to the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020. The updated rules, called the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) First Amendment Regulations, 2025, will come into force on July 1, 2026. The revision aims to make labelling more transparent for products that contain coffee and chicory, ensuring buyers know what they are drinking. Here are the key provisions:

Compulsory front-of-pack labelling

All packs of “Coffee Blended with Chicory” and “Instant Coffee-Chicory Mixture” must clearly state the percentage of coffee and chicory on the front label.

Updated Label Wording

The earlier sub-paragraph 2.2 in Schedule II of the 2020 regulations has been replaced. Labels must now read as follows:

• For Coffee-Chicory Mixture:

  “Coffee Blended with Chicory – This mixture contains Coffee __% and Chicory __%.”

• For Instant Coffee-Chicory Mixture:

  “Instant Coffee-Chicory Mixture made from blends of Coffee and Chicory – Coffee __%, Chicory __%.”

Stakeholder consultation

FSSAI had released the draft amendment in February 2025 for public feedback. After reviewing suggestions and objections, the regulator issued the final notification on August 8, 2025.

Why It Matters

Coffee mixed with chicory is popular in India, particularly in the southern states, where chicory adds body and lowers cost. By enforcing clear labelling, FSSAI intends to increase consumer awareness, discourage misleading claims, and help people make informed choices about their beverages. The new rules will be enforced from July 1, 2026, giving manufacturers almost a year to redesign their packaging and comply with the updated requirements.

Source: Foodtech Network