New Delhi: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has ordered a ban on the manufacture and sale of several liquor variants, including select Old Monk and McDowell's No. 1 products, citing alleged violations of food safety and labelling regulations.
According to the regulator, the affected products allegedly used artificial flavouring in place of proper ageing methods or carried misleading age-related claims that do not comply with the Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) Regulations.
Among the products covered by the order are:
- Old Monk The Legend Rum
- Old Monk Gold Reserve Rum
- Old Monk XXX Matured Rum
- McDowell's No. 1 Rum
- McDowell's Celebration Rum
- Bagpiper Deluxe Whisky
- Old Cask Deluxe XXX Rum
- Central Province Whisky
- Antiquity Blue Whisky
- Royal Challenge Whisky
The FSSAI stated that Old Monk XXX Matured Rum, manufactured by Mohan Rocky Springwater's Khopoli unit, claimed to be "7 Years' Blended," while the regulator found that the product primarily contained neutral, unmatured spirit, with matured rum spirit accounting for less than 5%. According to the regulator, such claims may mislead consumers and violate existing labelling norms.
The authority clarified that while natural flavouring agents, such as coffee or vanilla, may be permitted in alcoholic beverages, adding rum flavour to a product marketed as rum is not considered an acceptable substitute for genuine ageing.
The regulatory action also covers products manufactured by United Spirits and INBREW Beverages, with inspections conducted at multiple production facilities. In addition, notices have reportedly been issued to several manufacturers in Maharashtra, and further regulatory action may follow.
Meanwhile, Diageo India has challenged a related FSSAI order before the Bombay High Court, arguing that its labelling practices comply with applicable laws and established industry standards. The matter is currently under legal consideration.
The FSSAI's action is part of its broader effort to strengthen compliance with food safety and labelling regulations and ensure that product descriptions accurately reflect their composition and manufacturing process.
