FSSAI clarifies stance on identical flavours in alcoholic beverages, prohibits sale of select brands

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has clarified its regulatory position on the use of identical flavours in alcoholic beverages, stating that while several manufacturers continue to produce standardised alcoholic beverages in compliance with prescribed standards, action has been initiated against certain manufacturers found to be using non-permitted practices.

According to the food regulator, only certain manufacturers are producing beverages predominantly from neutral alcohol or extra neutral alcohol, which inherently lack the characteristic flavour profile associated with standardised alcoholic beverages, and are subsequently introducing identical or artificial flavouring substances to recreate such characteristics.

FSSAI said there is no internationally recognised manufacturing practice whereby rum flavour is added to rum or whisky flavour is added to whisky for the purpose of generating the defining sensory characteristics of standardised alcoholic beverages. It added that its standards are designed to ensure the chemical composition of alcoholic beverages remains authentic to their raw material origins and that food businesses must not use additives that mislead consumers.

The regulator has prohibited the sale of alcoholic beverages manufactured by Mohan Rocky Springwater’s Khopoli unit under the 3 Old Monk Rum variants — The Legend, Gold Reserve and XXX Matured Rum. It has also barred the sale of McDowell’s No. 1 Rum manufactured by United Spirits at its Baramati unit.

The prohibition also covers Bagpiper Deluxe Whisky and Old Cask Deluxe XXX Rum manufactured by INBREW Beverages in Madhya Pradesh, as well as Central Province Whisky and McDowell’s No. 1 Celebration Matured XXX Rum produced by Associated Alcohol & Breweries in Madhya Pradesh. In addition, FSSAI has prohibited the sale of Antiquity Blue Whisky and Royal Challenge Whisky manufactured by United Spirits in Madhya Pradesh.

Separately, the regulator said inspections and sampling have been undertaken at the premises of Mandexi Distilleries & Breweries in Goa. Notices have also been issued to six other manufacturers in Maharashtra, with further regulatory action to follow.

FSSAI emphasised that the present issue is not representative of the entire alcoholic beverages industry, noting that several manufacturers continue to produce standardised products fully compliant with the prescribed standards. The regulator reiterated that its enforcement action is limited to manufacturers whose products do not conform to existing regulations governing authenticity, labelling and the use of flavouring substances.