FSSAI issues notices to USL, INBREW and others over alleged added flavouring violations

The regulator said that the notices have been issued as certain manufacturers are adding the flavour of the standardised alcoholic beverage itself. For instance, the addition of rum flavour in rum or whisky flavour in whisky

As per a statement from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), it has sent notices to a number of liquor producers including those of United Spirits Ltd and INBREW Beverages and are accused of adding artificial flavours to the drinks to imitate the drinks' natural characteristics.According to the FSSAI statement, the use of flavouring is not restricted.FSSAI has stated that notices are being sent out because the alcoholic beverage companies are putting in the same flavour into their product that is already being defined as an alcoholic beverage. For example the rum flavour in rum and whisky in whisky.Read More: Lion Brewery makes India comeback after 60 years, targets premium beer marketOn 10th July, FSSAI also sent out notices to the alcohol companies for the violation of Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) Regulations, 2018 for illegal use of additives and other violations which include the claims of age.Last month, when FSSAI sent out the notices to the alcohol companies, it did not reveal the names of companies or of the factories.With the clarification released today, FSSAI has explained that a notice has been sent to United Spirits' plant at Baramati where the company produces McDowell's No 1 Rum.Additionally, it has pointed to USL, which belongs to British liquor major Diageo, Madhya Pradesh plant producing Antiquity Blue Whisky and Royal Challenge Whisky.Read More: Global travel restrictions benefited premium Indian liquor retail: CartelBros’ Mokksh SaniAnother brand which has made it to the list of names is Mohan Rocky Springwater as well as INBREW Beverages and Associated Alcohol & Breweries.It has also taken steps to conduct several inspections and sampling procedures in Goa at the Murthy & Rankawat distillery.Moreover, “notices have been issued to six other manufacturers in the State of Maharashtra in this case and further necessary action to follow soon,” the statement said.The FSSAI noticed that the firms did not comply with regulations regarding prohibited use of additives, fake age claims, and blending of flavors.The regulatory authority said that some manufacturers used what they called as added flavors which could imitate the natural profile of the products, for example, in Rum, Brandy, Gin, Malt, and Wine."This amounts to a violation of the regulations according to which these products must have their true natural taste and aroma."