The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has taken action against certain rum and whisky products after laboratory tests reportedly found the use of artificial or nature-identical flavours in the beverages. The regulator has barred the sale of selected variants linked to Diageo India’s United Spirits, Inbrew Beverages and Mohan Rocky Springwater.
According to FSSAI, some of the products were found to contain added flavours that replicated the taste of the alcoholic beverage itself, such as rum flavour in rum or whisky flavour in whisky. The action is part of the regulator’s increased scrutiny of food and beverage products to ensure compliance with safety and quality standards.
Which Alcohol Brands Have Been Barred?
The FSSAI action covers selected variants of several well-known whisky and rum brands. The products mentioned in the regulatory action include:
- Antiquity Blue Whisky
- Royal Challenge Whisky
- Selected McDowell’s rum variants
- Bagpiper Deluxe Whisky
- Old Cask Deluxe XXX Rum
- Old Monk The Legend
- Old Monk Gold Reserve
- Old Monk XXX Matured Rum
The action against Inbrew’s Bagpiper Deluxe Whisky and Old Cask Deluxe XXX Rum relates to products manufactured in Madhya Pradesh. Selected Old Monk variants manufactured in Maharashtra have also been included in the action.
Consumers should note that the action concerns specific variants and products rather than necessarily covering every product sold under the respective brand names.
Why Has FSSAI Taken This Action?
FSSAI stated that laboratory testing found external artificial or nature-identical flavours in the products examined. According to the regulator, such ingredients were used to achieve the desired taste and aroma.
The regulator has raised concerns that adding flavours corresponding to the alcoholic beverage itself could allow manufacturers to achieve a particular flavour profile without relying solely on traditional maturation or natural ingredients.
FSSAI said that adding rum flavour to rum or whisky flavour to whisky is not an internationally recognised manufacturing practice. The regulator therefore classified the products investigated as substandard based on the findings of its tests.
What Did the Laboratory Tests Find?
The regulatory action followed laboratory testing of the concerned products. FSSAI’s findings indicated the presence of external artificial or nature-identical flavours.
The regulator’s concern is related to the use of these flavouring substances in products where the flavour is expected to develop through the manufacturing and maturation process.
The action highlights the importance of manufacturers following prescribed standards when producing and marketing alcoholic beverages.
FSSAI Steps Up Food and Beverage Safety Checks
The action against liquor products comes amid a broader increase in regulatory scrutiny by FSSAI.
The food safety regulator has recently taken action against products carrying claims that it considered misleading or non-compliant with applicable standards. This includes action involving certain Dabur products that carried ‘100%’ claims, including honey, apple cider vinegar, virgin coconut oil, sesame oil, cow ghee, coconut water and coconut milk.
FSSAI has also directed manufacturers of certain high-caffeine beverages marketed as “energy drinks” to stop using that description, following concerns regarding the regulatory implications of such claims.
What This Means for Consumers
The latest action highlights the importance of food safety and product quality standards in the beverage industry. Consumers who purchase alcoholic beverages should pay attention to product labels, manufacturing details and regulatory updates.
The FSSAI action applies to the specific products and variants identified in the regulatory proceedings. Consumers should therefore avoid assuming that every product from the affected brands has been banned.
FSSAI’s Focus on Consumer Safety
The recent regulatory actions indicate that FSSAI is increasing its scrutiny of food and beverage products to ensure that manufacturers comply with prescribed safety, quality and labelling requirements.
For manufacturers, the action underlines the importance of using permitted ingredients and following recognised production practices. For consumers, it reinforces the need to rely on official regulatory information when questions arise about the safety or compliance of a particular product.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and is based on the information provided in the source material. Readers should refer to official FSSAI orders and notifications for the latest and most accurate information regarding specific products, brands and regulatory actions.
