New coffee labeling regulations are on the horizon for Hawaii as new rules are scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2024. Following the enactment of the Hawaiian Coffee Labeling Act 211 in July 2023, all coffee products carrying a Hawaii geographical reference will be required to disclose the specific location where the coffee was grown within the state. Additionally, these products must also indicate the percentage by weight of locally grown coffee versus coffee grown elsewhere. The law emphasizes that any coffee products claiming to be 100% Hawaiian in their labeling and advertising must be both grown and processed in Hawaii.
Increased Inspection and Monitoring
Despite the implementation of these new regulations, there are concerns regarding the enforcement of these laws due to the lack of additional inspection staff. Sharon Hurd, chairperson of the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, acknowledged the challenges that may arise given the existing statutory responsibilities of the department. However, plans are in place to ramp up inspection efforts on retail shelves across the state, with a potential reliance on complaint-driven enforcement in the immediate future.
Key Requirements
Some of the notable requirements under the new regulations include:
- Front label statements for Hawaii coffee beans, roasted coffee, and instant coffee blends must disclose the source location and weight percentage of all coffee beans in the product.
- Aggregation of foreign coffee content percentages is permitted, such as a 10% Hawaii coffee blend with 90% foreign-grown coffee.
- Ready-to-drink coffee beverages must list the origin of the coffee and the respective percentage.
- Single-serve and bulk coffee packaging will also be required to provide origin and percentage information.
- The font size of the origin and percentage details on the front label should be at least half the font size of the identity statement.
For more information on these regulations or to report potential mislabeling or non-compliance, individuals can reach out to the HDOA's Measurement Standards Branch via email at hdoa.ms.labeling@hawaii.gov or by calling (808) 832-0690.