FSSAI Bans Popular Indian Spirits Over Artificial Flavoring
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India banned several whiskies and rums from United Spirits and Inbrew for using artificial flavors to mimic maturation.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has banned the sale of several popular whiskies and rums produced by Inbrew Beverages and United Spirits, the Indian subsidiary of Diageo. The regulator classified the products as sub-standard after tests indicated the use of artificial or nature identical flavoring substances. The FSSAI asserts that adding rum or whisky flavors allows manufacturers to bypass traditional maturation processes and natural ingredients.
Banned brands include Royal Challenge Whisky, Antiquity Blue Whisky, Bagpiper Deluxe Whisky, Old Cask Deluxe XXX Rum, McDowell's No. 1 Rum, and three variants of Old Monk. The regulator specifically targeted products manufactured in Madhya Pradesh. In a July 20 notice, the FSSAI warned that claims of whisky being matured in American oak casks were misleading because a significant portion of the product consists of non-matured spirit. The authority also questioned the vague use of the term Scotch on labels.
United Spirits is challenging the ban in court, arguing that its labels comply with existing laws and describing the findings as an industry-wide concern. The company stated it is engaging with the regulator to resolve labeling queries and expects no financial implications from the action.
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