FSSAI cracks down on liquor manufacturers for added flavours, misleading age claims
New Delhi, July 9
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has issued notices to alcoholic beverage manufacturers for alleged non-compliance with regulatory provisions relating to added flavours and misleading age-related claims on the spirits.
The food business operators (FBOs) engaged in the manufacturing of alcoholic beverages have been directed to submit an explanation as to why action should not be initiated against them.
The regulator has found that certain brands were directly adding flavours to products like rum, brandy, whisky, gin, wine, and beer, which contravenes the regulation stating that these drinks must exclusively possess their true, natural characteristic taste and aroma.
Manufacturers are also reportedly using deceptive wording and indirect expressions denoting age that do not align with regulations. Rules require that any declared age on the label must strictly refer to the youngest spirit utilised in the blend.
The FSSAI recently implemented the Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) First Amendment Regulations, which enforce clearer guidelines for the Indian liquor sector, including mandatory statutory warnings displayed in a specific square-shaped box format.
In a related move, the FSSAI also served notices to six major beverage brands, including Red Bull and PepsiCo, for allegedly misbranding non-alcoholic beverages as "energy drinks".
The notices were for "misbranding and misleading claims".
The brands named by the regulator were Red Bull Energy Drink, PepsiCo's Adrenaline Rush Energy Drink and Sting Energy Drink, Reliance Consumer Products' Campa Energy Drink - Gold Boost, Coca-Cola-backed Monster Energy and Hell Energy.
The FSSAI said it has "not notified any standard for "energy drink" or similar products. It added that the brands have nonetheless been marketed using descriptors such as "energy drink" on packaging and labelling, and on e-commerce platforms.
"Functional or therapeutic claims, including but not limited to vitalises body and mind, enhancing focus, boost energy levels, aid in general weakness, or similar conditions, are not permissible for food products under the FSS Act 2006, and the Rules and Regulations made thereunder," it said.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I'm more concerned about the 'energy drinks' issue. These brands target young people with claims of boosting energy, but no one checks what's actually in them. At least FSSAI is waking up to reality.
Having worked in the beverage industry, I can confirm that age statements on many Indian whiskies are creative fiction at best. The regulation demanding the youngest spirit be declared is a game-changer. Karnataka and Maharashtra should enforce this strictly.
The FSSAI should also look into local 'desi daru' brands that sell spurious liquor. This crackdown on big companies is a good start, but the real problem is at the bottom of the pyramid. My uncle lost his eyesight due to adulterated alcohol in UP.
It's ironic that Red Bull is being called out for misbranding while they've been selling 'energy drinks' with dubious health claims for years in India. The warning label requirement in a square box is a welcome change - at least consumers will know what they're drinking.
The regulations sound good on paper but implementation is key. We already have so many laws but look at the number of liquor shops on every street. FSSAI should focus on the parallel economy of spurious liquor that kills thousands every year instead of just targeting big brands.
A Amanda J < We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.