GUWAHATI: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has barred the sale of select variants of popular liquor brands, including Old Monk, Royal Challenge, Bagpiper and Antiquity Blue, after laboratory tests found artificial or nature-identical flavouring substances in the products.
ALSO READ: Overnight Rain Triggers Fresh Flood Threat in Assam, Death Toll Rises To 89
According to media reports, the regulator said the products did not comply with prescribed food safety standards, with manufacturers allegedly using external flavours to achieve the taste and aroma of alcoholic beverages instead of relying on natural ingredients and proper maturation.
The order covers Antiquity Blue Whisky and Royal Challenge Whisky manufactured by United Spirits in Madhya Pradesh, Bagpiper Deluxe Whisky and Old Cask Deluxe XXX Rum produced by Inbrew Beverages in Madhya Pradesh, and three Old Monk variants manufactured by Mohan Rocky Springwater in Maharashtra.
FSSAI said Indian food safety rules allow the use of natural flavouring substances in alcoholic beverages. However, laboratory tests found that some of the products contained artificial or nature-identical flavours corresponding to the alcoholic beverage itself, such as rum flavour in rum or whisky flavour in whisky.
The regulator has classified the affected products as substandard and ordered a ban on their sale, widening regulatory scrutiny of the alcoholic beverages sector.