FSSAI Cracks Down On Alcoholic Beverages Over Quality Concerns, Orders Action Against Multiple Products

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has reportedly initiated regulatory action against several alcoholic beverage products over alleged quality violations, including concerns related to artificial flavouring and ageing processes. The action also extends to certain food products over what the regulator described as misleading labelling claims.

According to the reported regulatory orders, products manufactured by Diageo India’s unit, Inbrew Beverages and Mohan Rocky Springwater have come under scrutiny for allegedly failing to comply with prescribed food safety standards.

Alcoholic beverage products face regulatory action

According to the reported orders, FSSAI has directed action against several whisky and rum variants manufactured in different states.

The affected products reportedly include Diageo’s Antiquity Blue Whisky, Royal Challenge Whisky and McDowell’s No. 1 Rum manufactured in Madhya Pradesh.

The action also reportedly covers Inbrew Beverages’ Bagpiper Luxury Whisky and Old Cask XXX Rum, along with three variants of Old Monk produced by Mohan Rocky Springwater in Maharashtra.

The regulator has alleged that artificial flavouring was directly added to certain rum and whisky products instead of relying on prescribed natural processes or ingredients such as malt and molasses. It reportedly classified the products as “sub-standard” under applicable food safety regulations.

Companies respond

According to the report, Diageo has challenged the regulatory order before a court and maintained that its product labels comply with applicable laws.

FSSAI also acts against Dabur products

Separately, FSSAI has reportedly directed Dabur India to stop the sale of certain products, including honey, apple cider vinegar, cow’s ghee, edible oil and coconut milk, over the use of “100 per cent” claims that the regulator has described as vague or potentially misleading.

The regulator has also reportedly found that the ‘Jaivik Bharat’ logo was being used on some organic products without a valid FSSAI organic endorsement.

According to the reported order, Dabur has been asked to halt sales of the affected products and submit an action taken report within 15 days.

Dabur says it is reviewing the notice

Responding to the regulatory action, Dabur said it had received the FSSAI notice and was reviewing the contents cited by the regulator.

“We have received the FSSAI notice and are in the process of checking the content mentioned in the notice on our website,” the company said in a statement.

The action forms part of FSSAI’s wider crackdown on potentially misleading claims in food advertising and product labelling. In May 2025, the regulator had warned food businesses across the industry against using “100 per cent” claims on labels and promotional material.