In News:

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued an advisory mandating that the percentage of chicory content in coffee powder must be prominently displayed on the front of the package. The rule will come into effect from 1 July.

The move aims to enhance consumer awareness and transparency in the coffee market.

About Chicory

• Scientific Name: Cichorium intybus
• Family: Asteraceae
• Nature: Perennial plant
• Cultivation: Primarily grown in temperate regions worldwide

Chicory is a versatile plant known for its medicinal, nutritional, and culinary properties. Various varieties are cultivated and used differently across regions.

Botanical and Nutritional Features

• Considered a local wild edible plant
• Edible parts: Leaves, Flowers, Roots
• Nutritional components include:
  • Carbohydrates
  • Proteins
  • Vitamins
  • Minerals
  • Soluble fibre (notably inulin)
  • Trace elements
  • Bioactive phenolic compounds

Chicory root is particularly valued for its fibre content and functional food properties.

Use of Chicory in Coffee

Chicory is widely used as a coffee additive, especially in blended coffee products.

Why It Is Used

• Imparts a darker colour
• Provides an earthy, woody flavour
• Naturally caffeine-free
• More affordable than high-quality coffee beans

In India, chicory-blended coffee is common, particularly in southern states.

FSSAI Advisory: Key Provisions

The FSSAI has directed that:

• The exact percentage of chicory in coffee blends must be clearly mentioned.
• The information must be displayed on the front of the coffee powder packaging.
• The regulation becomes effective from 1 July.

Objective

• Improve consumer transparency
• Prevent misleading marketing practices
• Enable informed consumer choice
• Strengthen regulatory oversight in food labelling

This aligns with FSSAI’s mandate to ensure safe, standardised, and properly labelled food products in India.

Regulatory Background

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI):

• Functions under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
• Operates under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
• Sets standards for food products and regulates manufacturing, storage, distribution, sale, and import

The chicory labelling directive reflects a broader push towards clearer front-of-pack disclosures and consumer-centric food governance.