FSSAI Cracks Down on Misleading Age Claims in Alcoholic Beverages

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued notices to several alcoholic beverage manufacturers for alleged violations related to the use of added flavours, misleading age-related claims, and improper disclosure of blend age, tightening regulatory scrutiny on the liquor industry.

The action follows observations that certain companies were not adhering to provisions laid down under the Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) Regulations, 2018 . The regulator has directed the concerned manufacturers to ensure compliance and explain why action should not be initiated under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 , and the rules framed under it.

In a statement, FSSAI said it found instances where manufacturers were using added flavours designed to mimic a product's natural character in beverages such as rum, brandy, gin, malt and grain whisky, wine, and beer . According to the regulator, these products are required to possess only their genuine natural taste and aroma, and the use of such flavouring agents is prohibited under the regulations.

The authority also raised concerns over the use of unauthorised age-related descriptions. It noted that some products carried terms such as "aged" or similar expressions without complying with the prescribed regulatory conditions. FSSAI clarified that when an age claim is made, the declared age must correspond to the youngest spirit used in the blend , a requirement that was allegedly not followed in certain cases.

The development has prompted further engagement between the regulator and industry stakeholders. The Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC) said FSSAI has called for consultations with industry associations next week to discuss the issues highlighted in the notice. The industry body maintained that its member companies follow all norms and guidelines mandated by the food safety regulator.

The move signals a stronger push by FSSAI toward ensuring transparency in alcohol labelling and protecting consumers from potentially misleading claims regarding product age and composition.