Health and Me

Rachel V Thomas

Amid an ongoing food safety overhaul by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), around 18,000 boxes of Diageo whisky and vodka bottles have been seized from the company's unit in Bengaluru.

Diageo is the world's largest spirits maker and owns brands including Johnnie Walker, Baileys and Captain Morgan. 

News agency Reuters, citing government sources, reported that the action was linked to the alleged lack of markings showing that the bottles were made using safe, food-grade recycled plastic. 

Confirming the regulatory action, Diageo India said some of its bottles "have been quarantined by authorities until further direction."

According to a government memo, the FSSAI inspectors found that United Spirits' Bengaluru factory had recycled liquor bottles that carried only markings showing they were made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET). A second government memo stated that the bottles should have carried a government-mandated recycled PET symbol indicating that the material was food-grade. 

"This raised serious food safety, misleading and misbranding compliance concerns regarding the safety of finished alcoholic beverages for consumers," the memo said. The seizure was made in the interests of public health, it added. 

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/from-liquor-to-dabur-to-vkc-nuts-fssai-crackdown-puts-food-safety-in-focus-why-it-matters-article-155492838" data-type="tilCustomLink">From Liquor to Dabur to VKC Nuts, FSSAI Crackdown Puts Food Safety in Focus: Why It Matters</a>

While most large bottles of Diageo drinks are made of glass, the action focused on plastic bottles used to sell the products in smaller quantities, typically 180 milliliters. 

<ul><li>Products worth around $1.6 million </li></ul><ul><li>Plastic material </li></ul><ul><li>More than half a dozen brands, including DSP Black Deluxe Whisky </li></ul><ul><li>Smirnoff Zesty Lime Triple Distilled Flavored Vodka </li></ul><ul><li>VAT 69 blended Scotch whisky </li></ul>

Diageo India stated that the liquor bottles were sourced from a recycler approved by FSSAI, and that mandatory tests had been conducted by the suppliers. 

"Our products are completely safe for consumption ... We are engaging with FSSAI for further direction on this matter," Diageo India unit United Spirits told Reuters. The FSSAI did not respond to Reuters' questions about the seizure. 

Read More: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/why-has-fssai-banned-the-sale-of-dabur-indias-ghee-honey-other-products-article-155249148" data-type="tilCustomLink">Why Has FSSAI Banned The Sale Of Dabur India's Ghee, Honey &amp; Other Products?</a>

The latest seizure comes after FSSAI banned the sale of select whisky and rum products from major liquor companies, including Diageo India's United Spirits, after finding artificial or "nature-identical" flavoring that allegedly violates Indian food standards. 

<ul><li>United Spirits' Antiquity Blue </li></ul><ul><li>Royal Challenge Whisky, manufactured in Madhya </li></ul><ul><li>Inbrew's Bagpiper Deluxe </li></ul><ul><li>Old Cask Deluxe XXX </li></ul><ul><li>Three variants of Old Monk, produced by Mohan Rocky Springwater in Maharashtra </li></ul>

FSSAI said laboratory tests found that certain products manufactured by United Spirits, Inbrew Beverages and Mohan Rocky Springwater contained external artificial or nature-identical flavoring substances intended to recreate the taste and aroma of whisky or rum, instead of relying on traditional production methods. 

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According to the regulator, natural flavoring substances are permitted in alcoholic beverages, but manufacturers cannot add whisky flavor to whisky or rum flavor to rum. 

"There is no internationally recognized manufacturing practice whereby rum flavor is added to rum or whisky flavor 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 flavor, including molasses, malt and grapes 

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

<h2>FSSAI Steps Up Food Safety Checks </h2>

The food standards regulator has stepped up enforcement across packaged foods, edible oils, sweeteners and high-caffeine beverages, energy drink makers, including PepsiCo, with the drive gathering pace since July. 

In recent weeks, FSSAI has acted against or scrutinized products and companies over misleading claims, hygiene and food-safety violations, non-compliant ingredients, labelling issues and failure to meet prescribed standards.

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Amid an ongoing food safety overhaul by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), around 18,000 boxes of Diageo whisky and vodka bottles have been seized from the company's unit in Bengaluru. Diageo is the world's largest spirits maker and owns brands including Johnnie Walker, Baileys and Captain Morgan. News agency Reuters, citing government sources, reported that the action was linked to the alleged lack of markings showing that the bottles were made using safe, food-grade recycled plastic. Confirming the regulatory action, Diageo India said some of its bottles "have been quarantined by authorities until further direction." What Did FSSAI Find? According to a government memo, the FSSAI inspectors found that United Spirits' Bengaluru factory had recycled liquor bottles that carried only markings showing they were made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET). A second government memo stated that the bottles should have carried a government-mandated recycled PET symbol indicating that the material was food-grade. "This raised serious food safety, misleading and misbranding compliance concerns regarding the safety of finished alcoholic beverages for consumers," the memo said. The seizure was made in the interests of public health, it added. Which Bottles Were Seized? Also read: From Liquor to Dabur to VKC Nuts, FSSAI Crackdown Puts Food Safety in Focus: Why It Matters While most large bottles of Diageo drinks are made of glass, the action focused on plastic bottles used to sell the products in smaller quantities, typically 180 milliliters. The seizure included: Products worth around $1.6 million Plastic material More than half a dozen brands, including DSP Black Deluxe Whisky Smirnoff Zesty Lime Triple Distilled Flavored Vodka VAT 69 blended Scotch whisky What Did Diageo Say? Diageo India stated that the liquor bottles were sourced from a recycler approved by FSSAI, and that mandatory tests had been conducted by the suppliers. "Our products are completely safe for consumption ... We are engaging with FSSAI for further direction on this matter," Diageo India unit United Spirits told Reuters. The FSSAI did not respond to Reuters' questions about the seizure. Diageo Faces Wider Scrutiny Read More: Why Has FSSAI Banned The Sale Of Dabur India's Ghee, Honey & Other Products?The latest seizure comes after FSSAI banned the sale of select whisky and rum products from major liquor companies, including Diageo India's United Spirits, after finding artificial or "nature-identical" flavoring that allegedly violates Indian food standards. The affected products include: United Spirits' Antiquity Blue Royal Challenge Whisky, manufactured in Madhya Inbrew's Bagpiper Deluxe Old Cask Deluxe XXX Three variants of Old Monk, produced by Mohan Rocky Springwater in Maharashtra FSSAI said laboratory tests found that certain products manufactured by United Spirits, Inbrew Beverages and Mohan Rocky Springwater contained external artificial or nature-identical flavoring substances intended to recreate the taste and aroma of whisky or rum, instead of relying on traditional production methods.    According to the regulator, natural flavoring substances are permitted in alcoholic beverages, but manufacturers cannot add whisky flavor to whisky or rum flavor to rum. "There is no internationally recognized manufacturing practice whereby rum flavor is added to rum or whisky flavor 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 flavor, including molasses, malt and grapes FSSAI classified the tested products as "sub-standard due to the presence of external artificial or nature-identical flavors in the product." FSSAI Steps Up Food Safety Checks The food standards regulator has stepped up enforcement across packaged foods, edible oils, sweeteners and high-caffeine beverages, energy drink makers, including PepsiCo, with the drive gathering pace since July. In recent weeks, FSSAI has acted against or scrutinized products and companies over misleading claims, hygiene and food-safety violations, non-compliant ingredients, labelling issues and failure to meet prescribed standards.

why fssai seized 18,000 boxes of diageo whisky, vodka bottles

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Why People With Mental Health Conditions Are More Likely To Struggle With Tobacco Addiction

Why FSSAI Seized 18,000 Boxes Of Diageo Whisky, Vodka Bottles

US July Heat Breaks 132-Year Record: UK, France Brace For 5th Heat Wave Of 2026