Relating To Coffee Labeling.
The proposed changes aim to enhance consumer confidence by ensuring that coffee blends labeled with geographic origins accurately reflect their contents. This is particularly significant for Hawaii's coffee farms, which have been adversely affected by practices allowing a high percentage of lower-quality, foreign-grown coffees to be marketed with prestigious Hawaiian names. Supporters of this bill argue that it will benefit local farmers economically while maintaining the integrity of Hawaii's coffee reputation in the marketplace.
Bill SB2408 focuses on regulating the labeling of coffee products in Hawaii, specifically targeting the use of geographic names on coffee blend labels. Currently, there is a concern that the existing law, which allows for only ten percent of a coffee blend to consist of beans from a labeled geographic area, is misleading to consumers. This bill seeks to increase that threshold to at least fifty-one percent by January 1, 2025, effectively strengthening the protection for Hawaii-grown coffees like Kona, Maui, and Kaū against dilution and misrepresentation due to misleading labeling practices.
Opposition to the bill may arise from coffee businesses that rely on the current labeling standards, which offer flexibility in their sourcing practices. Critics argue that the increase in required percentage could lead to rising prices for consumers and may affect small roasting businesses. Nevertheless, proponents emphasize that this move is essential to uphold the quality of Hawaii's coffee products and to prevent consumer deception, which can further harm the state's coffee market.