The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has granted conditional relief to liquor manufacturers, allowing them to sell their existing stock within a 90-day window, according to sources. The decision is expected to provide significant relief to companies facing inventory build-up amid regulatory uncertainty over flavouring and labelling requirements.
The conditional approval followed a meeting between FSSAI and industry associations representing liquor manufacturers. Under the relief, companies can liquidate existing inventory during the 90-day period, but they will have to comply with specific conditions before putting the stock on sale.
Public Notice Mandatory for Existing Stock Sale
Liquor manufacturers will be required to issue a public notice before selling their existing stock. The notice must clearly disclose whether the product contains added flavour or qualifies as an added flavoured spirit. The requirement is aimed at ensuring transparency and enabling consumers to make informed purchasing decisions.
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The relief, however, does not extend to claims regarding the age of alcoholic beverages. FSSAI has made it clear that liquor companies cannot make unsubstantiated age claims about their products. The restriction will continue to remain a key compliance requirement for manufacturers.
FSSAI Scrutiny to Continue
While allowing manufacturers additional time to clear existing inventory, FSSAI will continue inspections related to hygiene, manufacturing practices and other regulatory requirements at liquor units. The conditional nature of the approval indicates that the regulator has provided a limited window for stock clearance without easing its broader enforcement and compliance measures.
The development comes after FSSAI took action against select whisky and rum products manufactured by United Spirits, Inbrew Beverages, Associated Alcohol & Breweries and Mohan Rocky Springwater. The regulator had prohibited the sale of specified products after laboratory testing and investigations found violations related to flavouring and labelling requirements.
According to FSSAI, some of the affected products contained artificial or nature-identical flavours corresponding to the alcoholic beverage itself, including rum flavour in rum and whisky flavour in whisky. The regulator stated that such practices could mislead consumers because the characteristic taste and aroma of standard alcoholic beverages are expected to develop through recognised processes involving ingredients, fermentation, distillation and maturation.
The enforcement action covers specific products manufactured at identified facilities. These include Antiquity Blue Whisky and Royal Challenge Whisky manufactured by United Spirits in Madhya Pradesh; McDowell’s No. 1 Rum manufactured by United Spirits at Baramati, Maharashtra; Bagpiper Deluxe Whisky and Old Cask Deluxe XXX Rum manufactured by Inbrew Beverages in Madhya Pradesh; Central Province Whisky and McDowell’s No. 1 Celebration Matured XXX Rum manufactured by Associated Alcohol & Breweries in Madhya Pradesh; and Old Monk The Legend, Old Monk Gold Reserve and Old Monk XXX Matured Rum manufactured by Mohan Rocky Springwater at Khopoli, Maharashtra.
The latest 90-day stock clearance window provides temporary relief to liquor manufacturers holding affected or existing inventory, while the mandatory public disclosure and continued restrictions on age claims underline FSSAI’s focus on consumer transparency and regulatory compliance in the alcoholic beverage sector.
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