FSSAI Issues Notices to Alcoholic Beverage Manufacturers for Non-Compliance

We all know that alcohol consumption is injurious to health. Adding chemicals and flavours to any alcohol only makes it even more injurious. Keeping the seriousness of the matter, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India recently issued notices to alcoholic beverage manufacturers. Given the seriousness of the matter, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India recently issued notices to alcoholic beverage manufacturers. The official Instagram post by FSSAI states, "FSSAI has issued notices to alcoholic beverage manufacturers for alleged non-compliance with regulatory provisions relating to added flavours and misleading age-related claims. The concerned FBOs have been directed to ensure compliance and submit explanation as to why action should not be initiated against them." Scroll down to read the details. What is the complaint about According to FSSAI's post, the notice is issued to the Food Business Operators (FBOs) engaged in the manufacturing of alcoholic beverages, licensed under the FSS Act, 2006, for violating the provisions stipulated under the Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) Regulations, 2018. What did FSSAI notice Prohibited Use of Added Flavours: Certain manufacturers are blending added flavours that mimic a product's natural profile (eg Rum, Brandy, Gin, Malt, Grain Whisky, Wine and Beer). This directly contravenes the regulations stating that these products must exclusively possess their true, natural characteristic taste and aroma.Misleading Age-related Claims: FBOs are making unauthorised age claims using words, synonyms, or indirect expressions denoting age without strictly adhering to Regulations 1.3.7 of the FSS (Alcoholic Beverages) Regulations, 2018.Violation of Blend Age Disclosure: Products carrying the word 'aged' or associated age claims have failed to ensure that the declared age refers strictly to the youngest spirit utilized in the blend. What explanation is expected from manufacturers 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 the FSS Act, 2006, and the Rules and Regulations made thereunder End of Article