FSSAI bans sales of several rum and whisky brands over fake flavour and age claims

New Delhi, August 3 – In a decisive move, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has ordered the suspension of sales for a range of rum and whisky products after uncovering the use of artificial flavourings and misleading age statements.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare disclosed that investigations found certain manufacturers were blending neutral spirit or extra‑neutral alcohol with flavour compounds designed to imitate the characteristic aroma and palate of conventional rum and whisky. While the base spirit met legal definitions, the added flavours gave the impression of genuine aged liquor.

Regulators flagged that these beverages are not only sub‑standard in quality but also exploit established category names, thereby deceiving consumers. Packaging often fails to disclose that the flavour is artificial, especially on the front label.

Laboratory analysis of samples from multiple plants identified artificial or nature‑identical flavour substances in both rum and whisky categories. Under the Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) Regulations, 2018, the age claim for a blended spirit must reflect the youngest spirit in the blend – a rule breached by a "7‑year‑old blended" claim on an Old Monk XXX Rum variant.

Consequently, FSSAI issued prohibitions on the sale of products produced by Mohan Rocky Springwater’s Kolhapur unit, United Spirits’ Baramati facility, INBREW beverages in Madhya Pradesh, Associated Alcohol & Breweries and another United Spirits unit in the same state. The impacted brands include multiple Old Monk rum variants, Macdonalds No. 1 Rum, Bagpiper Deluxe Whisky, Old Cask Deluxe XXX Rum, Antiquity Blue Whisky and Royal Challenge Whisky.

The ministry also reported inspections at Mandeixi Distilleries & Breweries in Goa and the issuance of notices to six additional manufacturers in Maharashtra. While flavourings such as coffee and vanilla are allowed when justified, the current violations involve flavour additives that mimic the exact spirit they are meant to mask, such as adding rum flavour to a neutral spirit marketed as rum.

Authorities stressed that the matter does not reflect the practices of the whole alcoholic beverage industry, many of which comply fully with existing standards.