Archive · 5 Sep 2026
FSSAI Says Old Monk Cannot Be Sold As Rum
India’s food safety agency says Old Monk should not be sold using the word “rum.”
It says the drink is made with neutral spirits and rum flavouring.
The agency also objected to how the product was described on its label.
The manufacturer says it makes the drink according to the definition of rum.
It agreed to change its labels by adding “added flavour.”
It will also remove the words “7 years old blended.”
The Bombay High Court did not immediately allow the company to sell its old stock.
The court will hear more arguments and review the modified labels on September 8.
FSSAI told the Bombay High Court that Old Monk cannot be sold as rum because it uses neutral spirits and rum flavouring.
The agency prohibited Old Monk’s sale in Maharashtra, citing external rum flavouring that was not explicitly labelled.
Manufacturer Mohan Rocky Springwater agreed to add “added flavour” to packaging and remove “7 years old blended.”
The manufacturer argued that Old Monk meets the definition of rum and sought permission to sell existing stock.
The court declined an immediate stay and adjourned the hearing to September 8 for a response on three modified labels.
- Who
- The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, Mohan Rocky Springwater Pvt Ltd, and the Bombay High Court.
- What
- FSSAI is challenging the sale and description of Old Monk as rum, while the manufacturer seeks to overturn the prohibition order.
- When
- The court hearing continued on Thursday; the matter was adjourned to September 8. The court had refused an immediate interim stay on Tuesday.
- Where
- The Bombay High Court; the sale prohibition applies in Maharashtra.
- Why
- FSSAI says Old Monk uses neutral spirits and external rum flavouring without explicit labelling as flavoured rum.
FSSAI’s Position
Manufacturer’s Position
Whether the product is rum
FSSAI’s Position
FSSAI says a product made with neutral spirit and rum flavours cannot be called rum and only mimics rum.
Manufacturer’s Position
Mohan Rocky Springwater says it manufactures rum from neutral, rectified, distilled spirit of agricultural origin, consistent with the product’s definition.
Labelling and sale
FSSAI’s Position
FSSAI prohibited sales in Maharashtra because external rum flavouring was not explicitly identified as flavoured rum and objected to the product’s description as rum.
Manufacturer’s Position
The manufacturer agreed to prominently add “added flavour” and remove “7 years old blended,” while seeking permission to sell its existing stock.
Immediate court relief
FSSAI’s Position
FSSAI opposed interim relief, and the court noted that allowing old stock to be sold could effectively grant final relief before the case is decided.
Manufacturer’s Position
The manufacturer sought an interim stay and cited losses of crores of rupees from the sales prohibition.
- Product
- Old Monk alcoholic beverage
- Regulator
- Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
- Manufacturer
- Mohan Rocky Springwater Pvt Ltd
- Disputed description
- Whether Old Monk can be sold and described as rum
- Label changes
- Add “added flavour” and remove “7 years old blended”
- Interim relief
- The Bombay High Court refused an immediate stay
- Next hearing
- September 8