Why in News?
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued an advisory mandating that the percentage of chicory content in coffee blends must be clearly displayed on the front of coffee powder packets from 1 July 2026 — a development relevant for governance and consumer rights discussions in UPSC coaching in Hyderabad
• Scientific name: Cichorium intybus
• Family: Asteraceae (same family as sunflower and lettuce)
• Type: Perennial herbaceous plant
• Grown mainly in temperate climates, including parts of Europe, North America, and India.
• In India, cultivation is concentrated in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and parts of North India.
Parts Used and Culinary Applications
• Roots: Roasted and powdered; commonly mixed with coffee.
• Leaves: Used as leafy vegetables or salad greens.
• Flowers: Sometimes used in traditional remedies.
• Considered a local wild edible plant in many regions.
Chicory as a Coffee Additive
• Added to coffee for a darker colour and woody/earthy flavour.
• Naturally caffeine-free, making it suitable for low-caffeine blends.
• Significantly cheaper than pure coffee, reducing production costs.
• In India, certain coffee blends may contain up to 30–49% chicory, depending on the brand.
The FSSAI directive ensures that the exact proportion is prominently declared on packaging to prevent misleading marketing — an issue linked to regulatory frameworks often discussed in IAS coaching in Hyderabad.
Nutritional and Health Aspects
• Rich in inulin, a soluble dietary fibre beneficial for gut health.
• Contains carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins (especially Vitamin B group), and minerals.
• Includes bioactive compounds and phenolic antioxidants.
• Traditionally used in folk medicine for digestive support and liver health.
Regulatory Significance
• The advisory strengthens food labelling norms under FSSAI regulations.
• Promotes consumer rights and informed decision-making.
• Prevents confusion between pure coffee and blended coffee products — a governance topic frequently analysed in UPSC online coaching and civils coaching in Hyderabad.
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