Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has barred the sale of selected Old Monk, Royal Challenge, Bagpiper, and Antiquity Blue variants. This comes after tests found artificial or nature-identical flavoring in these alcoholic beverages. FSSAI found artificial flavoring that does not comply with prescribed manufacturing standards, as reported by Reuters.
FSSAI said its tests found that some products manufactured by Diageo India’s United Spirits, Inbrew Beverages, and Mohan Rocky Springwater used external artificial or nature-identical flavors to achieve the taste and aroma of alcoholic beverages instead of relying on natural ingredients and proper maturation processes.
According to reports, Indian food safety rules permit the use of natural flavoring substances in alcoholic beverages. However, FSSAI said laboratory tests found that some manufacturers were adding flavors of the alcoholic beverage itself. For example, adding rum flavor in rum or whisky flavor in whisky.
“There is no internationally recognized manufacturing practice whereby rum flavor is added to rum or whisky flavor is added to whisky," the regulator said in a statement issued late Sunday, August 2, 2026.
FSSAI stated that such practices could allow manufacturers to bypass proper maturation or the use of natural ingredients like malt, grapes, or molasses in the production process.
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The ban by FSSAI applies to:
It remains unclear whether the ban applies only to products manufactured at the identified facilities or extends to the same brands produced at other manufacturing units. However, sales of existing stocks can continue.
Reuters reported that senior industry executives were concerned by the order and believed the addition of flavorings was consistent with Indian regulations. The action comes as the FSSAI increases scrutiny of beverage producers. Recently, the regulator ordered manufacturers of high-caffeine beverages marketed as “energy drinks” to stop using that description, rejecting requests from PepsiCo and Red Bull to delay any ban while negotiations continue.
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FSSAI has barred the sale of Old Monk variant, Bagpiper, and Royal Challenge over allegations of artificial flavoring. Many Indian food safety rules permit the use of natural flavoring substances in alcoholic beverages, however, FSSAI has found some manufacturers were adding flavors of the alcoholic beverage itself.
