Nisha Pandey

FSSAI Bans Some Liquor Produced by India's Largest Alcohol Company Over Artificial Flavouring

India's food safety regulator has banned the sale of select whisky and rum products produced by some of the country's biggest liquor companies, including <span>Diageo India</span>'s <span>United Spirits</span>. 

<span>FSSAI</span>'s move comes after they found artificial or "nature-identical" flavouring that allegedly violates Indian food standards. 

Among the affected products are United Spirits' Antiquity Blue Whisky and Royal Challenge Whisky manufactured in Madhya Pradesh, Inbrew's Bagpiper Deluxe Whisky and Old Cask Deluxe <span>XXX Rum</span>, as well as three variants of Old Monk produced by <span>Mohan Rocky Springwater</span> in Maharashtra. 

It is still unclear whether the restrictions apply only to products manufactured at these specific facilities or to the brands nationwide. 

<h2>Why Did FSSAI Ban These Products?</h2>

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) said laboratory tests found that certain products manufactured by <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/how-chronic-hepatitis-quietly-progresses-to-liver-cirrhosis-why-early-action-can-save-your-liver-article-155225172" data-type="tilCustomLink">United Spirits</a>, <span>Inbrew Beverages</span> and Mohan Rocky Springwater contained external artificial or nature-identical flavouring substances intended to recreate the taste and aroma of whisky or rum, instead of relying on traditional production methods.

According to the regulator, the use of natural flavouring substances in <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/from-hepatitis-to-cirrhosis-understanding-the-long-term-risks-of-delayed-treatment-article-155207733" data-type="tilCustomLink">alcoholic beverages</a> is permitted but manufacturers cannot add whisky flavour to whisky or rum flavour to rum. 

"There is no internationally recognized manufacturing practice whereby rum flavour is added to rum or whisky flavour is added to whisky," <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/fssai-retracts-advisory-on-a1-and-a2-milk-claims-what-you-need-to-know-and-how-it-affects-your-health-article-151035176" data-type="tilCustomLink">FSSAI </a> said in its statement. 

The regulator added that these practices could bypass proper maturation and reduce reliance on ingredients traditionally used to develop flavour, including molasses, malt and grapes. 

FSSAI classified the tested products as "sub-standard due to the presence of external artificial or nature-identical flavours in the product." 

While <span>Diageo</span> India, Inbrew Beverages and Mohan Rocky Springwater did not immediately issue public responses to media queries, <em>Reuters </em>reported that some industry executives believe the use of flavouring does not violate existing Indian regulations.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/you-can-no-longer-buy-medicines-containing-more-than-12-alcohol-over-the-counter-health-ministry-article-155079889" data-type="tilCustomLink">You Can No Longer Buy Medicines Containing More Than 12% Alcohol Over the Counter: Health Ministry</a> 

<h2>What Are "Nature-Identical" Flavourings? </h2>

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Nature-identical flavouring substances are chemically synthesised compounds created to replicate the flavours naturally found in foods or beverages. 

Although they may be seem same like the naturally occurring compounds, regulators determine whether they can be used in specific products based on food standards. 

In this case, FSSAI's objection is not to all flavourings, but specifically to the addition of <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/5-us-states-that-drink-the-most-alcohol-article-151455335" data-type="tilCustomLink">whisky or rum</a> flavouring to beverages marketed as whisky or rum.

They argue that the flavour should develop naturally through the approved manufacturing and ageing process. 

India is among the world's largest alcohol markets, with annual sales estimated at around $40 billion, and United Spirits, owned by global drinks giant Diageo, is the country's largest liquor company by market share. 

The affected products are widely consumed because they are significantly more affordable than the imported spirits. 

The latest action also signals FSSAI's bigger effort to tighten regulations of the food and beverage industry. In recent weeks, the regulator has also intensified scrutiny of products marketed as energy drinks and other packaged foods over labelling and compliance issues.

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India's food safety regulator has banned the sale of select whisky and rum products produced by some of the country's biggest liquor companies, including Diageo India's United Spirits. FSSAI's move comes after they found artificial or "nature-identical" flavouring that allegedly violates Indian food standards. Among the affected products are United Spirits' Antiquity Blue Whisky and Royal Challenge Whisky manufactured in Madhya Pradesh, Inbrew's Bagpiper Deluxe Whisky and Old Cask Deluxe XXX Rum, as well as three variants of Old Monk produced by Mohan Rocky Springwater in Maharashtra. It is still unclear whether the restrictions apply only to products manufactured at these specific facilities or to the brands nationwide. Why Did FSSAI Ban These Products?The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) said laboratory tests found that certain products manufactured by United Spirits, Inbrew Beverages and Mohan Rocky Springwater contained external artificial or nature-identical flavouring substances intended to recreate the taste and aroma of whisky or rum, instead of relying on traditional production methods.According to the regulator, the use of natural flavouring substances in alcoholic beverages is permitted but manufacturers cannot add whisky flavour to whisky or rum flavour to rum. "There is no internationally recognized manufacturing practice whereby rum flavour is added to rum or whisky flavour is added to whisky," FSSAI  said in its statement. The regulator added that these practices could bypass proper maturation and reduce reliance on ingredients traditionally used to develop flavour, including molasses, malt and grapes. FSSAI classified the tested products as "sub-standard due to the presence of external artificial or nature-identical flavours in the product." While Diageo India, Inbrew Beverages and Mohan Rocky Springwater did not immediately issue public responses to media queries, Reuters reported that some industry executives believe the use of flavouring does not violate existing Indian regulations.Also read: You Can No Longer Buy Medicines Containing More Than 12% Alcohol Over the Counter: Health Ministry What Are "Nature-Identical" Flavourings?       Nature-identical flavouring substances are chemically synthesised compounds created to replicate the flavours naturally found in foods or beverages. Although they may be seem same like the naturally occurring compounds, regulators determine whether they can be used in specific products based on food standards. In this case, FSSAI's objection is not to all flavourings, but specifically to the addition of whisky or rum flavouring to beverages marketed as whisky or rum.They argue that the flavour should develop naturally through the approved manufacturing and ageing process. India is among the world's largest alcohol markets, with annual sales estimated at around $40 billion, and United Spirits, owned by global drinks giant Diageo, is the country's largest liquor company by market share. The affected products are widely consumed because they are significantly more affordable than the imported spirits. The latest action also signals FSSAI's bigger effort to tighten regulations of the food and beverage industry. In recent weeks, the regulator has also intensified scrutiny of products marketed as energy drinks and other packaged foods over labelling and compliance issues.

fssai bans some liquor produced by india's largest alcohol company over artificial flavouring

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