Newz Desk, Durgapur: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has raised objections to the use of the term ‘Rum’ on a particular Old Monk product, arguing that it does not meet the prescribed standards to be sold as rum.
The issue came up before the Bombay High Court on Thursday, where FSSAI submitted that the product is made using neutral spirit and rum flavouring. According to the food safety regulator, the product should therefore be described as a “rum-flavoured spirit” rather than being marketed simply as rum. FSSAI’s counsel told the court that the regulator’s primary objection was not related to the labelling itself, but to the method used to manufacture the spirit.
“The particular product cannot be permitted to be sold as rum,” the FSSAI counsel submitted, adding that it could instead be categorised as a rum-flavoured spirit.The matter dates back to August, when FSSAI raised concerns over certain liquor manufacturers allegedly using neutral spirit combined with artificial flavouring to recreate the taste and aroma of rum and whisky without following the prescribed production and maturation processes. Old Monk subsequently came under scrutiny over its XXX Rum product. The bottle carried the description “7 Years Old Blended”, which FSSAI had reportedly termed misleading.
Following the regulatory objection, the matter reached the Bombay High Court.
Recently, the makers of Old Monk informed the court that the phrase “7 Years Old Blended” would no longer appear on the bottle’s label. The company has also submitted a revised label before the court. The case is scheduled to come up for its next hearing on September 11, when the court is expected to consider the developments surrounding the revised labelling and FSSAI’s objections.
The dispute has brought renewed attention to the standards governing the production, maturation and labelling of alcoholic beverages in India.
