India
oi-Swastika Sruti
To all who prefer drinking alcohol here is where they must pay utter attention, as the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India(FSSAI) has taken strict action against several popular liquor brands, including three variants of Old Monk rum over alleged violations of labelling rules.
The FSSAI has banned Old Monk rum variants (The Legend, Gold Reserve, XXX Matured Rum) and other popular liquor brands for allegedly using artificial flavours violating labelling rules, while Diageo India has challenged the order in Bombay High Court.
The officials stated that the laboratory tests found that some manufacturers were using artificial or natural identical flavours to imitate the taste and aroma that should naturally develop during the ageing process.
According to the FSSAI, this could mislead consumers about the quality and composition of the products.
Which liquor brands have been banned?
The action covers multiple liquor brands manufactured at different facilities across the country.
The three affected Old Monk variants are:
- Old Monk The Legend
- Old Monk Gold Reserve
- Old Monk XXX Matured Rum
These products are manufactured by Mohan Rocky Springwater’s Khopoli unit in Maharashtra.
Apart from Old Monk, the FSSAI has also banned:
- McDowell’s No. 1 Rum
- Bagpiper Deluxe Whisky
- Old Cask Deluxe XXX Rum
- Central Province Whisky
- McDowell’s Celebration Rum
- Antiquity Blue Whisky
- Royal Challenge Whisky
The regulator has also inspected Goa-based Mandexi Distilleries & Breweries and issued notices to six more manufacturers in Maharashtra. More action may follow after further investigations.
Why did FSSAI take action?
According to the FSSAI, some manufacturers were adding artificial rum or whisky flavours to products that were already being sold as rum or whisky.
The regulator said this is misleading because consumers expect these beverages to develop their taste naturally through the ageing process.
To explain its point, the FSSAI compared the practice to adding “tea flavour” to tea. It said such flavouring changes the nature of the product and does not accurately represent how it was made.
Why was Old Monk specifically flagged?
The FSSAI raised concerns over the labelling of Old Monk XXX Matured Rum.
The bottle reportedly claims that it is a “7 years’ blended” rum. However, the regulator said the product mainly contains neutral, unmatured spirit, while matured rum makes up less than five per cent of the blend.
What has FSSAI said?
In a statement issued on August 2, the regulator said there is no internationally accepted manufacturing practice that allows manufacturers to add rum flavour to rum or whisky flavour to whisky.
The FSSAI said some companies were adding external flavours that mimic the natural characteristics of aged liquor and selling them as standard products, which could mislead consumers.
It stressed that the purpose of the action is to ensure consumers receive products that accurately reflect their ingredients and manufacturing process.
What is Diageo India’s response?
Diageo India has challenged a related order issued by the FSSAI before the Bombay High Court. The company has argued that its labelling practices comply with existing industry standards and that there are no legal restrictions preventing the way its products are described.
The case is currently under legal consideration.
