Liquor Brands Banned: FSSAI has banned the sale of certain variants of Old Monk, Royal Challenge, Bagpiper and Antiquity Blue after artificial or nature-identical flavouring was found in them in tests.
Liquor Sales Banned: Old Monk, Royal Challenge, Bagpiper, Antiquity Blue liquor banned
Liquor Brands Banned: Food safety regulator FSSI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) has banned the sale of certain variants of several well-known liquor brands, including Old Monk, Antiquity Blue Whisky, Royal Challenge Whisky, and Bagpiper Deluxe Whisky, after they were found to contain artificial flavors that did not meet established manufacturing standards.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) said its investigation found that some products manufactured by Diageo India's United Spirits, Inbru Beverages and Mohan Rocky Springwater used external artificial or nature-identical flavours to impart an alcoholic taste and aroma, instead of using natural ingredients and a proper maturation process.
Where is the sale being stopped?
The regulator has banned the sale of Antiquity Blue whisky and Royal Challenge whisky made by United Spirits, Bagpiper Deluxe whisky and Old Cask Deluxe XXX rum made by Inbru Beverages in Madhya Pradesh. Additionally, the ban has been imposed on three variants of Old Monk made by Mohan Rocky Springwater in Maharashtra. According to a Reuters report, it is not yet clear whether this action applies only to products manufactured in these specific locations or to the same brands manufactured elsewhere.
Shocking revelation in the lab
According to the regulator, food safety regulations in India allow the use of natural flavourings in alcoholic beverages. However, FSSAI labs have revealed that companies are adding flavourings to some brands of alcohol, such as rum flavorings to rum or whiskey flavorings to whiskey. The use of such flavorings is not permitted under Indian regulations.
There are many alcohol lovers in India.
India is one of the world's largest liquor markets, with industry revenues estimated at approximately $40 billion annually. Diageo India, through its United Spirits subsidiary, is the country's largest liquor company by market share, rivaling French spirits giant Pernod Ricard. The spirits under the FSSAI's scrutiny are domestically produced, hence, are cheaper than imported whiskey, scotch, and premium rum, and are therefore more widely consumed. This action comes at a time when the FSSAI is currently engaged in rigorous food and beverage inspections.
