India's food safety regulator has prohibited the sale of certain whisky and rum products made by United Spirits (NSE:UNITDSPR, BOM:532432) and Inbrew Beverages, saying inspections found the use of added flavoring that could mislead consumers.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) said in a statement on Sunday that the manufacturers used external flavoring substances to recreate the characteristic aroma and taste of whisky and rum rather than developing those characteristics through raw materials and maturation.
The affected products include Antiquity Blue Whisky and Royal Challenge Whisky manufactured by United Spirits in Madhya Pradesh, along with Bagpiper Deluxe Whisky and Old Cask Deluxe XXX Rum produced by Inbrew in the state. While the use of flavoring is permitted, the regulator said it objected to adding flavors corresponding to the beverage type itself.
FSSAI said it has issued notices to the companies. It also allowed two manufacturers that appealed the prohibition orders to sell existing inventory subject to revised front-of-pack labeling requirements.