中文The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued notices to alcoholic beverage manufacturers over alleged violations of the Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) Regulations, 2018. The regulator objects to the unauthorized use of added flavours and to misleading age-related claims on product labels, and has asked the companies to explain why enforcement action should not be initiated under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
What the Regulator Flagged
Among the violations is the alleged use of added flavours in beverages where such additives are prohibited. Under the regulations, spirits including brandy, gin, rum, vodka and whisky must derive their characteristic flavour solely from the raw materials used and the manufacturing process — not from added flavouring compounds. FSSAI also objected to products carrying the word “aged” or other age-related claims without the mandatory disclosure that the declared age refers to the youngest spirit in the blend.
The omission, the regulator argues, could mislead consumers about a product’s actual age. For premium spirits, where age statements carry real commercial weight, that distinction is central to how the product is positioned and priced.
The Industry Response
The Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies said FSSAI has called for consultations with stakeholders, including industry associations, the following week. “All our members strictly follow all laid norms and guidelines mandated by FSSAI,” the confederation said in a statement. A meeting of stakeholders was scheduled for 14 July 2026 to discuss the issue, and the number of manufacturers served notices has not been disclosed.
Why Label Accuracy Is in Focus
The action reflects a broader tightening of FSSAI’s scrutiny of truthful labeling and product claims across food categories. As packaged goods face growing consumer and regulatory attention on transparency, alcohol — long a complex labeling environment — is now squarely in scope. For label printers and packaging suppliers serving beverage clients, the episode is a reminder that compliance is shifting and that labels must carry precise, defensible claims.
For converters, the practical implication is that artwork and claim language need closer legal review before print, and that changeable claim rules across jurisdictions make template discipline more important than ever.
Source: THE PACKMAN (Manash Das).
