Representative image NEW DELHI: Is your whisky really “aged”? Does its distinctive flavour come naturally or from additives? The country’s food safety regulator has put alcoholic beverage manufacturers under the scanner, issuing notices over alleged use of unauthorised added flavours and misleading age-related claims on product labels.Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued notices to manufacturers after finding alleged violations of the Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) Regulations, 2018. The companies have been asked to explain why action should not be initiated against them under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.Among the violations flagged is the alleged use of added flavours in alcoholic beverages where such additives are prohibited. Under the regulations, products such as brandy, gin, rum, vodka and whisky must derive their characteristic flavour solely from the raw materials used and the manufacturing process.FSSAI also objected to products carrying the word “aged” or other age-related claims without the mandatory disclosure that the declared age refers to the youngest spirit used in the blend, as required under the regulations. The regulator said the omission could mislead consumers about the product’s actual age.In a statement, Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies said FSSAI has called for consultations across stakeholders, including industry associations, next week for discussions. “All our members strictly follow all laid norms and guidelines mandated by FSSAI,” it said.The notices also ask manufacturers to explain why enforcement action should not be initiated for the alleged violations. The department has not disclosed how many manufacturers have been served notices. Officials said a meeting of stakeholders has been scheduled for July 14 to discuss the issue.The action comes as the regulator sharpens its focus on truthful labelling and product claims across food categories, with increasing scrutiny of misleading declarations and regulatory compliance.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosCalcutta HC Allows TMC To Operate Frozen Accounts, Questions Police’s Swift Action3 Ex-TMC MPs Join BJP, Get Rajya Sabha Tickets Within Hours | West Bengal | Mamata BanerjeePM Modi Praises Australia’s Under-16 Social Media Ban, Says ‘India Learning From It’Flood Fury Disrupts Cities Nationwide, IMD Issues Red Alerts Amid Relentless RainfallAustralia To Return Three Historic Indian Artefacts During PM Modi’s VisitTensions In MVA As Sanjay Raut Slams Sharad Pawar For Holding Meeting At Eknath Shinde’s OfficeIndia, Myanmar Review Border Security, Intelligence Sharing’Hit With Iron Rod’: Bengaluru PT Teacher Booked After Allegedly Beating 12-Year-Old To DeathIndian Railways Clarifies Digital Ticket Rules: Only Original Rail One App Ticket Will Be AcceptedIndia and Australia Finalise Uranium Export Arrangement Under Civil Nuclear Agreement123PhotostoriesWhat would you do? I look younger than my age and nobody takes me seriously; 5 women share what they did next7 Natural floor cleaners that may help keep flies, ants and monsoon pests away60-second money lesson: The expensive habit of women buying clothes for one occasion (and how to fix it)Don’t dismiss it as ‘just a migraine’: Doctor explains the brain aneurysm warning signs that could save your lifeWorld Kebab Day 2026: 15 must-try Kebabs every food lover should tasteYour favourite fruits may not be as harmless as you think if you have diabetes, kidney disease or IBSWho was ‘Miss Dior’? The fascinating woman behind Christian Dior’s most iconic perfume8 nicknames for white dogs that perfectly match their personality and charm7 Plants with leaves and flowers that naturally stain and dyeFrom a Rs 2.5 crore watch to Shikhar Pahariya’s name in her mehendi: Inside Janhvi Kapoor’s most talked-about moments at Anshula Kapoor’s wedding123Hot PicksTelangana BandhGold Rate TodayBaruipur rape-murder caseWeather TodayRitabrata BanerjeeModi Australia VisitNitin GadkariStrait of HormuzAP DEECET rank cardTop TrendingGurgaon MonsoonAMU Seerat CertificateTelangana Techie Wife MurderFIFA World Cup 2026Weather TodayAndhra Hospital MurderRamesh MhatreDelhi NCR rainGurgaon EncounterIran war
NEW DELHI: Is your whisky really “aged”? Does its distinctive flavour come naturally or from additives? The country’s food safety regulator has put alcoholic beverage manufacturers under the scanner, issuing notices over alleged use of unauthorised added flavours and misleading age-related claims on product labels.Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued notices to manufacturers after finding alleged violations of the Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) Regulations, 2018. The companies have been asked to explain why action should not be initiated against them under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.Among the violations flagged is the alleged use of added flavours in alcoholic beverages where such additives are prohibited. Under the regulations, products such as brandy, gin, rum, vodka and whisky must derive their characteristic flavour solely from the raw materials used and the manufacturing process.FSSAI also objected to products carrying the word “aged” or other age-related claims without the mandatory disclosure that the declared age refers to the youngest spirit used in the blend, as required under the regulations. The regulator said the omission could mislead consumers about the product’s actual age.In a statement, Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies said FSSAI has called for consultations across stakeholders, including industry associations, next week for discussions. “All our members strictly follow all laid norms and guidelines mandated by FSSAI,” it said.The notices also ask manufacturers to explain why enforcement action should not be initiated for the alleged violations. The department has not disclosed how many manufacturers have been served notices. Officials said a meeting of stakeholders has been scheduled for July 14 to discuss the issue.The action comes as the regulator sharpens its focus on truthful labelling and product claims across food categories, with increasing scrutiny of misleading declarations and regulatory compliance.
