If you buy liquor after seeing the claim of ’12 years old’, ‘Premium Aged’ or any special flavor written on the bottle, then this news is for you. Food safety regulator FSSAI has issued notices to many liquor manufacturing companies asking why action should not be taken against them. It is alleged that some companies are adding flavors to liquor against the rules and are making such claims regarding its age, which are not as per the rules.
What is the matter?
According to FSSAI, three types of irregularities have come to light in the investigation.
- First error: It is about adding flavor from outside to the liquor. According to the rules, products like rum, brandy, gin, whiskey, wine and beer should have only their natural taste and aroma, but some companies are accused of trying to give a real taste by adding additional flavors.
- Second error: It is related to the claims being made regarding the age of alcohol. FSSAI says that some companies are using words to describe their liquor as old or mature, while the rules for the same were not followed.
- Third error: It has been found to tell the age of blended liquor. The rule says that if a bottle is labeled as 12 years old, then the youngest spirit used in it must also be at least 12 years old. If it is not so then it will be considered a misleading claim to the customers.
Answer sought from companies
FSSAI has sought answers from the concerned companies as to why action should not be initiated against them. If the response of the companies is not satisfactory then further legal action can be taken against them.
The meeting will be held next week
According to liquor industry organization CIABC, FSSAI has called a meeting with the industry and other parties next week. There will be discussion about these rules and their observance.
Has shown a tough stance earlier also
Recently FSSAI has made it mandatory to write health warnings more clearly on liquor bottles. Apart from this, notices were also sent to many big beverage companies some time ago. They were accused of selling their products as ‘energy drinks’, although FSSAI has not set separate standards for this category. At present FSSAI has not made public the names of the liquor companies that have received the notice. In such a situation, it is not clear yet on which brands action can be taken.
Also read: Is the packaged food you are buying repacked and expired? Know the methods of checking
