Labeling Law for Hawaii-Grown Roasted and Instant Coffee

NEW COFFEE LABELING LAW EFFECTIVE JULY 3, 2024

This 2024 update to the “Hawaii-Grown Coffee Law”, amends §486-120.6, Hawaii Revised Statues, expanding mandatory labeling and advertising requirements of Hawaiian-grown coffee products to roasted, instant, ready-to-drink, and the bulk packaged complimentary single brew ground coffee packs. Hawaiian coffee product blends with non-Hawaiian coffee must be made from at least ten percent Hawaii-grown green coffee and disclose the origin source for the balance of the coffee blend. Example: must state contains 90% foreign-grown coffee on the front label now. The law also clarifies labeling requirements, definitions, and violations; and establishes record keeping requirements. The law specifies acceptable language, text location and font size for the identity statement used on packaged coffee products offered or advertised for retail or institutional sale or display.

Beginning 7/1/2027, requires roasted coffee, instant coffee, and ready-to-drink coffee beverages that contain Hawaiʻi-grown and Hawaiʻi-processed coffee blended with coffee of another regional origin to contain no less than fifty-one per cent coffee by weight from the Hawaiʻi geographic origin. Exempts retailers that do not package roasted coffee, instant coffee, or ready-to-drink coffee beverages from liability for the sale of roasted coffee, instant coffee, or ready-to-drink coffee beverages that use a label or advertisement in violation of the coffee labeling law.

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For examples of identity statements that are acceptable and unacceptable in the labeling or advertising of Hawaii-Grown coffees, please see the following:

If a Hawaiian geographic origin is used in labeling or advertising for these covered products, the green coffee beans used in that coffee product must meet the grade standard requirements of rules adopted under chapter 147.

The Commodities Branch is responsible for the enforcement of grade standards for green coffee beans and coffee certification, while the Measurement Standards Branch monitors labeling compliance.

 

FORMS

 

For more information, contact the Commodities Branch:

Oahu – (808) 832-0700

Kona – (808) 323-7589

Maui – (808) 873-3554

Kauai – (808) 271-7133