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FSSAI issues notices to liquor makers over flavour additives and misleading age claims
Regulator flags alleged breaches of alcohol labelling rules, seeks compliance from manufacturers
MUMBAI: Aged to perfection? Not quite, according to India’s food safety regulator.
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has issued notices to alcoholic beverage manufacturers over the alleged use of unauthorised flavour additives and misleading age-related claims, tightening scrutiny on compliance with the Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) Regulations, 2018.
The regulator said inspections uncovered multiple instances where manufacturers had allegedly breached labelling and product composition norms. Companies have now been asked to ensure compliance and explain why action should not be initiated against them under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
According to FSSAI, some manufacturers were found using added flavouring substances that imitate the natural taste and aroma of alcoholic beverages such as rum, brandy, gin, malt or grain whisky, wine and beer. The regulator said such products are required to possess only their natural characteristic flavour profile, making the addition of artificial flavouring a violation of existing regulations.
The authority also raised concerns over age-related marketing claims. It said certain food business operators were using words, synonyms or indirect expressions suggesting the age of alcoholic beverages without complying with Regulation 1.3.7 of the Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) Regulations, 2018.
In addition, FSSAI found that some products carrying the word “aged” or similar claims had failed to ensure that the declared age referred to the youngest spirit used in the blend, as mandated under the regulations.
In a statement, FSSAI said the concerned manufacturers have been directed to comply with the prescribed norms and submit explanations as to why action should not be initiated under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the rules framed under it.
The latest action follows the regulator’s recent enforcement drive across the food and beverage sector, signalling closer oversight of product labelling and advertising claims. For liquor manufacturers, the message is clear: product claims must be backed by the rulebook, not just the label.
