|
|
|
You can get e-magazine links on WhatsApp. Click here
|
|
|
|
|
|
FSSAI takes action against alcoholic beverage makers
|
|
Tuesday, 04 August, 2026, 16 : 00 PM [IST]
|
|
Ashwani Maindola, New Delhi
|
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has initiated enforcement action against select alcoholic beverage manufacturers following non-compliance with existing safety regulations, specifically, the unauthorised addition of external flavourings to mimic standardised spirits and deceptive age claims.
FSSAI revealed that certain manufacturers have been using neutral alcohol, which lacks natural flavour, and adding external artificial or nature-identical flavours (such as adding rum flavour to rum or whisky flavour to whisky) rather than developing flavour through traditional fermentation, distillation, and aging.
Laboratory tests confirmed that these added flavours mask the natural profile, rendering the products substandard.
FSSAI clarified that while flavours like vanilla or coffee are permitted when technologically justified, adding identical flavours to mimic the core spirit serves no legitimate function and misleads consumers. Under labelling rules, such products should be labelled as "Rum-flavoured Spirit" or "Whisky-flavoured Spirit".
FSSAI investigation findings also exposed misleading age declarations. Notably, a "7 years old blended" claim on an Old Monk XXX Rum variant was found to contain less than five per cent matured rum spirit, with neutral spirit making up the vast majority. Under FSSAI regulations, any age claim on a spirit blend must strictly reflect the age of the youngest spirit present in the product.
Based on non-conforming lab tests, FSSAI issued sale prohibitions for specific brands, including Old Monk Rum variants (Mohan Rocky Springwater), McDowell’s No. 1 Rum, Antiquity Blue Whisky, and Royal Challenge Whisky (United Spirits), alongside products from INBREW Beverages and Associated Alcohol & Breweries. Inspections were also conducted in Goa, and notices were served to six additional manufacturers in Maharashtra.
Following appeals, conditional revocation was granted to two manufacturers. They are permitted to clear existing stock provided the front of the pack clearly reveals the true nature of the product, but they must eliminate identical flavour additions in future production.
FSSAI emphasised that these violations do not represent the entire industry, as compliant manufacturers continue to produce authentic beverages without deceptive additives.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|