FSSAI cracks down on liquor makers over flavour additives, misleading age claims

Food safety regulator FSSAI has issued notices to alcoholic beverage manufacturers over the unauthorised use of added flavours and non-compliance with regulations governing age-related claims on product labels.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) said the notices were issued after it found violations of the Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) Regulations, 2018, including the prohibited use of added flavours, misleading age claims and improper disclosure of the age of blended spirits.

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"The concerned companies have been directed to ensure compliance and submit an explanation as to why action should not be initiated under the provisions of FSS Act, 2006 and the Rules and Regulations made thereunder," FSSAI said in a social media post.

According to the regulator, some manufacturers have been adding flavouring substances that imitate the natural profile of alcoholic beverages such as rum, brandy, gin, malt or grain whisky, wine and beer.

"This directly contravenes the regulation stating that these products must exclusively possess their true, natural characteristic taste and aroma," it said.

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FSSAI also flagged the use of unauthorised age-related claims, saying certain manufacturers were using words, synonyms or indirect expressions to suggest the age of a product without complying with Regulation 13.7 of the Alcoholic Beverages Regulations.

The regulator further observed that products carrying the word "aged" or similar age claims had failed to ensure that the declared age referred to the youngest spirit used in the blend, as required under the regulations.

The food safety authority has asked the companies to comply with the prescribed norms and explain why action should not be initiated against them under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the rules framed under it.