New coffee labeling rules go into effect July 1

New labeling requirements for Hawai‘i-branded coffee products will go into effect on July 1 and will apply to all coffee product inventory sold to the public or displayed at retail stores in Hawai‘i.

The Hawaiian Coffee Labeling Act 211, which was enacted in July 2023, requires all coffee products carrying a Hawai‘i geographical reference to include the disclosure of the location where the coffee was grown in the state, and also indicate the percentage by weight of locally grown coffee and coffee grown elsewhere. The law also specifies that coffee products claiming to be 100% Hawaiian in the labeling and advertising must be grown and processed in Hawai‘i.

“Unfortunately, the law did not provide for additional inspection staff so enforcement of the new law will be a challenge given the other statutory responsibilities of the branch,” said Sharon Hurd, chairperson of the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture. “However, the department will increase inspection of retail shelves statewide and may have to rely on complaint-driven enforcement for the immediate future.”

The significant new requirements include:

• The front label identity statement for Hawai‘i coffee beans, roasted coffee and instant coffee blended with beans from other areas will require disclosure of the location source and weight percentage for all coffee beans contained in the product.
• Percentage weight of foreign coffee content may be aggregated. e.g: 10% Hawai‘i coffee blend and contains 90% foreign-grown coffee.
• Ready-to-drink coffee beverages shall be required to list the coffee origin and percentage information.
• Single-serve and bulk coffee packaging shall be required to list coffee origin and percentage information.
• Origin and percentage information shall be displayed on the front label in a font size at least half of the font size of the identity statement.

For retail information and to report possible mislabeling or non-compliance, email the HDOA’s Measurement Standards Branch at: hdoa.ms.labeling@hawaii.gov or call 808-832-0690.

Additionally, the legislature passed House Bill 2298 in May, which mandates that as of July 1, 2027, any coffee labeled or advertised with a Hawaiʻi geographic origin must consist of at least 51% coffee, by weight, from that region.

The current requirement is set at just 10%.