Coffee and chicory extracts

The harmonisation of the legislation on trade in coffee extracts and chicory extracts promotes the common market for products in this sector while at the same time protecting the interests of producers and consumers.

ACT

Directive 1999/4/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 February 1999 relating to coffee extracts and chicory extracts (See amending acts).

SUMMARY

This Directive simplifies the legislation - previously regulated by Directive 77/436/EEC - relating to extracts of coffee and extracts of chicory. It is aimed at protecting the interests of consumers and producers by establishing rules on the description, definition and characteristics of these products.

Scope

The Directive covers the following products:

• coffee extract and soluble coffee extract;
• soluble or instant coffee (with the exception of café torrefacto soluble);
• chicory extract;
• soluble chicory;
• instant chicory.

These products must comply with certain minimum composition requirements, in particular as regards the dry matter content.

Labelling

Coffee and chicory extracts must be labelled in accordance with the provisions of Directive 2000/13/EC, which relates to the labelling, presentation and advertising of foodstuffs. However, only the above-mentioned descriptions may be used in trade in these products, possibly accompanied by information concerning the form (paste, liquid, concentrated, etc.), any added substances, and the caffeine content. An indication of the minimum coffee- or chicory-based dry matter content as a percentage by weight of the finished product is also obligatory.

Other provisions

Trade in coffee or chicory extracts conforming to the provisions of this Directive may not be impeded by conflicting national provisions.

The Commission is to be assisted by the standing committee on the food chain and animal health in applying this Directive.

RELATED ACTS

Commission Directive 2002/67/EC of 18 July 2002 on the labelling of foodstuffs containing quinine, and of foodstuffs containing caffeine (OJ L 191 of 19.7.2002).

Regulation (EU) No 1021/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 October 2013 amending Directives 1999/4/EC and 2000/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Directives 2001/111/EC, 2001/113/EC and 2001/114/EC as regards the powers to be conferred on the Commission (Official Journal L 287 of 29.10.2013).

• This regulation aligns the existing Commission implementing powers provided for in the five so-called breakfast directives with the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) and in particular with Article 29 which allows the Commission to adopt delegated acts.

Last updated: 29.04.2014