Liquor makers challenge FSSAI ban on Old Monk and other brands

The Bombay High Court has declined to grant interim relief to liquor manufacturers, including United Spirits and Mohan Meakin, who are challenging prohibitory orders issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

The FSSAI directive, issued in June, restricts the sale of certain Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) products, such as Old Monk, McDowell’s No. 1, and Antiquity Blue Whisky. The regulator alleges that the use of external artificial or nature-identical flavoring substances masks the natural characteristics of the spirits, violating the Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) Regulations, 2018. The FSSAI maintains that such products must be labeled as “rum-flavoured spirits” rather than standard spirits.

Representing Mohan Meakin, senior counsel Navroz H. Seervai argued that the prohibition is causing losses of approximately Rs 1 crore per day and noted that the products have been sold under these labels for over five decades without consumer complaints or reported illnesses. The manufacturers seek a stay on the orders to allow the sale of existing stock without immediate relabeling.

The court has requested the Union of India to file a response to the petitions. The matter is scheduled for further consideration on August 24.