Why Did FSSAI Ban Old Monk, Antiquity Blue, Royal Challenge, and Other Popular Liquor Brands?

FSSAI, India's food safety regulator, has prohibited the sale of certain variants of popular liquor brands, including Old Monk, Antiquity Blue, Royal Challenge and Bagpiper Deluxe Whisky, after laboratory tests found the use of artificial or nature-identical flavouring that it says does not comply with prescribed manufacturing standards. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) announced the action following inspections of manufacturing facilities operated by United Spirits, Inbrew Beverages and Mohan Rocky Springwater.

The regulator said its investigation found that some products contained added whisky or rum flavour instead of developing their taste and aroma through natural ingredients and the maturation process. As per the Reuters', the FSSAI had not clarified whether the restrictions apply only to products manufactured at the identified plants or to the brands nationwide. Old Monk Rum Shortage in Maharashtra: Why It’s Unavailable and When It Will Return.

Why Did FSSAI Take Action Against Old Monk, and Other Popular Brands?

According to FSSAI, Indian food safety regulations permit the use of natural flavouring substances in alcoholic beverages.

However, laboratory testing found that some manufacturers had added external artificial or nature-identical flavours to their products. "There is no internationally recognised manufacturing practice whereby rum flavour is added to rum or whisky flavour is added to whisky," the regulator said. Old Monk Is Most Popular Indian Liquor Brand Among Rich Indians.

FSSAI said such practices could allow manufacturers to bypass key production processes, including proper maturation and the use of natural raw materials such as molasses, malt or grapes that normally contribute to the flavour profile of alcoholic beverages. The regulator concluded that the tested products were "sub-standard" because of the presence of external artificial or nature-identical flavours.

Which Liquor Brands Are Affected?

The FSSAI order covers specific products manufactured at selected facilities:

• Antiquity Blue Whisky and Royal Challenge Whisky manufactured by United Spirits in Madhya Pradesh.
• Bagpiper Deluxe Whisky and Old Cask Deluxe XXX Rum produced by Inbrew Beverages in Madhya Pradesh.
• Three variants of Old Monk Rum manufactured by Mohan Rocky Springwater in Maharashtra.

Reuters reported that it remains unclear whether the restriction applies only to products manufactured at these facilities or extends to the same brands produced at other plants.

Industry Response

According to Reuters, two senior industry executives said the affected companies were concerned about the regulator's decision and believed such flavouring practices were permitted under existing Indian regulations. Diageo India, Inbrew Beverages and Mohan Rocky Springwater had not responded to Reuters' requests for comment.

The action is part of broader enforcement efforts by FSSAI across India's food and beverage sector.

Last week, the regulator also directed manufacturers of high-caffeine beverages marketed as "energy drinks" to stop using that description, despite reported attempts by companies including PepsiCo and Red Bull to challenge the move.

India is among the world's largest alcohol markets, with annual industry revenue estimated at around USD 40 billion. United Spirits, owned by Diageo India, remains the country's largest liquor company by market share, while the affected brands are among the most widely consumed domestically produced spirits in India.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 04, 2026 09:02 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).