FSSAI Bans Sale of Select Liquor Variants, Including Old Monk and McDowell's No. 1

New Delhi: India's Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has ordered a ban on the manufacture, sale and distribution of select whisky and rum variants from several well-known liquor brands, including Old Monk and McDowell's No. 1, citing violations related to flavouring practices and food safety regulations. 

The action follows an investigation that found certain products contained artificial or "nature identical" flavouring substances used to imitate the taste and aroma of naturally aged spirits. According to the regulator, such practices do not comply with applicable food safety standards for these categories of alcoholic beverages. 

Among the affected products are:

•    Old Monk The Legend Rum 

•    Old Monk Gold Reserve Rum 

•    Old Monk XXX Matured Rum (selected variants) 

•    McDowell's No. 1 Rum 

•    Bagpiper Deluxe Whisky 

•    Antiquity Blue Whisky 

•    Royal Challenge Whisky (selected variants) 

FSSAI said the products were found to use flavouring methods that allegedly bypass traditional maturation processes, resulting in labelling and product classification issues under India's food safety regulations. The regulator described the affected products as failing to meet the prescribed standards for their respective categories. 

Leading liquor manufacturers, including United Spirits (Diageo India) and Inbrew Beverages, have challenged the regulatory action. They maintain that their products comply with existing labelling requirements and have sought legal remedies against the decision. 

The regulator clarified that the enforcement action is related to regulatory compliance and product standards, and not because the products were found to be unsafe for consumption or contaminated. The move is part of FSSAI's broader effort to strengthen enforcement of food and beverage standards across India. 

The latest action has drawn significant attention because it affects some of India's best-known liquor brands. The scope and implementation of the ban may vary depending on the manufacturing units and products involved, while legal proceedings and regulatory reviews continue.