The Hindu : Centre bans chicory in instant coffee

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Sep 11, 2003

National

National

Centre bans chicory in instant coffee

By P. Sunderarajan

NEW DELHI SEPT.10. Here is some good news for coffee lovers. The Union Health Ministry has issued a notification that instant coffee powder should be totally free of chicory or, for that matter, any other additive.Chicory powder, which is produced by roasting and grinding dried roots of a plant called chicorium intybus, is usually added to make coffee decoction stronger and for extra flavour.

The new rule has been framed on the lines of ISO norms.

The notification also sets standards for the solubility of the powder in both boiling and cold water. In boiling water, it should dissolve within 30 seconds with moderate stirring, while in cold water, it should dissolve within three minutes, again with just moderate stirring.

In addition, the notification requires that raw, roasted and ground coffee should be free of artificial colouring and flavouring.

The new standard, which comes into force with immediate effect, also has some good news on the vegetable and fruit front. As per the standard, fresh vegetables and fruits should be sold in their natural form, without any coating of waxes, minerals or colours.

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