FSSAI regulatory actions against liquor manufacturers in_IN

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has initiated enforcement actions against several liquor manufacturers, including United Spirits and Mohan Meakin. The regulator alleges that certain Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) products, such as Old Monk, McDowell’s No. 1, and Antiquity Blue Whisky, use artificial or nature-identical flavoring substances to mask natural characteristics. The FSSAI maintains these products must be labeled as “rum-flavoured spirits” rather than standard spirits to comply with 2018 regulations.

In response to these directives, manufacturers have sought legal recourse. United Spirits has contested bans in Maharashtra, describing orders as “premature, prejudicial” and lacking due process. Additionally, food safety inspectors seized approximately 18,000 boxes of Diageo liquor, including Smirnoff, over concerns regarding bottle markings and compliance with recycled plastic safety standards.

The Bombay High Court recently declined to grant interim relief to manufacturers challenging the FSSAI orders. Legal counsel for Mohan Meakin argued that the prohibition causes daily losses of approximately Rs 1 crore and noted that these products have been sold under existing labels for over five decades without reported illnesses. The court has requested a response from the Union of India, with further consideration scheduled for late August.