FSSAI Mandates New Labelling for Coffee-Chicory Mix, Tightens Compliance Framework
The FSSAI has issued new labelling directives for coffee-chicory mixtures, alongside several regulatory appointments and updates to testing laboratory validity, impacting food manufacturers and importers in India.
New Delhi, India — 22 July 2026
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a significant directive concerning the labelling requirements for coffee-chicory mixtures. The 'Food Safety Standards (Labelling and Display) First, Amendment Regulations, 2025' will officially take effect on 22 July 2026, compelling manufacturers to adapt their product labelling to meet the updated guidelines. This move underscores the FSSAI's ongoing commitment to consumer transparency and product integrity within the Indian market.
Beyond labelling, the FSSAI has also reinforced its regulatory oversight through several key administrative appointments. Designated Officers have been appointed for Central Licensing for Airports under Section 36 of the FSS Act, 2006, as of 27 July 2026. Similar appointments have been made for the CLA Southern Region (21 July 2026) and Indian Railways (23 June 2026), centralising and standardising the licensing process for manufacturers and food service operators within these specific sectors. These appointments are designed to streamline regulatory compliance and enforcement, ensuring consistent application of food safety standards across critical infrastructure.
Furthermore, the FSSAI has updated the validity status of its notified Food Testing Laboratories, with the latest list published on 17 July 2026. This periodic validation is crucial for manufacturers, as only FSSAI-approved laboratories can provide legally recognised testing for product compliance and market authorisation. The revocation of suspensions for entities like Intertek India Private Limited (Food Services), Gurgaon, and Eko Pro Engineers Private Limited, Ghaziabad, also indicates the FSSAI's dynamic approach to ensuring testing integrity and accountability.
What this means for India
Indian brand owners and manufacturers of coffee-chicory mixtures must initiate artwork redesign and potential formulation reviews to comply with the FSSAI's new labelling regulations by the 22 July 2026 deadline. Failure to comply will result in product recalls or market access restrictions. The appointments of Designated Officers for central licensing zones like airports and railways will standardise compliance pathways, potentially reducing regional inconsistencies but demanding strict adherence to national FSSAI guidelines. Manufacturers must verify their third-party testing partners against the FSSAI's 17 July 2026 laboratory validity list; utilising non-approved labs risks invalidating product safety assessments and delaying market entry for new SKUs. This consolidated regulatory push reinforces the FSSAI's control, requiring proactive compliance investments from the industry to maintain market access and avoid punitive actions.
Approved technical specifications for high-end equipment (HEE) – LC-HRMS, published on 17 July 2026, signal an investment in advanced analytical capabilities for food testing. This will likely lead to more stringent enforcement of compositional standards and contaminant detection, necessitating enhanced quality control processes for manufacturers. The consistent stream of advisories from the FSSAI, numbering over 500 entries, highlights a dynamic regulatory environment that demands continuous monitoring by industry operators.
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