Dubai – Qahwa World
South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has announced stricter regulations for decaffeinated coffee products, stating that products will only be allowed to carry the “decaffeinated” label if they contain no more than 0.1% residual caffeine in the coffee beans.
The new labeling standards are set to take effect on January 1, 2028.
Under the current rules, at least 90% of the caffeine must be removed from coffee for it to be classified as decaffeinated. However, existing regulations do not specify the final amount of caffeine that may remain in the product. The term “decaffeinated” also does not necessarily mean that the coffee is completely caffeine-free, which can lead to consumer misunderstanding.
The ministry explained that some decaffeinated coffee products may still contain relatively high levels of residual caffeine, especially when made from naturally high-caffeine coffee beans. This, officials said, conflicts with consumer expectations that decaffeinated coffee should contain little to no caffeine.
To reduce confusion, the updated standards will focus on the amount of caffeine remaining in the beans, aligning South Korea’s regulations more closely with international standards, including those used in the United States.
In a related move, the ministry also strengthened labeling requirements for alcoholic beverages amid a rise in collaborative products featuring alcohol brands packaged in designs resembling ordinary food products.
