Archive · 24 Aug 2026
United Spirits Drops Court Challenge After FSSAI Lifts Rum Ban
India’s food regulator objected to some alcoholic drinks being sold as rum or whisky when they contained added flavouring.
The regulator said the flavouring hid the drinks’ natural characteristics.
United Spirits disagreed and took the issue to court.
It argued that adding rum flavour was a common industry practice and that the drinks had not been shown to harm consumers.
The regulator later cancelled its order against United Spirits.
Because of that cancellation, United Spirits withdrew its court case.
The maker of Old Monk is still fighting a similar restriction in court.
The companies may change labels or remove the disputed flavouring while keeping the drinks’ composition the same.
United Spirits withdrew its Bombay High Court challenge after FSSAI revoked restrictions on rum variants made at its Baramati plant.
The dispute concerned artificial or nature-identical ‘rum flavour’ added to products sold as rum.
United Spirits argued the practice was longstanding and questioned the regulator’s authority to halt sales without findings of consumer harm.
Diageo and other liquor makers agreed to remove the flavouring agents or relabel products while retaining their composition, according to sources cited by Mint.
Mohan Rocky Springwater Breweries, maker of Old Monk, continues challenging a similar ban, with its case due to be heard next Monday.
- Who
- United Spirits, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), and Mohan Rocky Springwater Breweries, the maker of Old Monk.
- What
- United Spirits withdrew its court challenge after FSSAI revoked restrictions on some of its rum variants; the Old Monk maker continues a similar legal challenge.
- When
- FSSAI cancelled its 29 June order on 18 August; the Old Monk case was scheduled for the following Monday.
- Where
- The dispute is being addressed in the Bombay High Court and involves products made at United Spirits’ Baramati plant.
- Why
- FSSAI objected to external artificial or nature-identical flavouring substances that it said masked the products’ natural characteristics.
Regulatory and labeling concerns
Industry and consumer arguments
Use of added flavouring
Regulatory and labeling concerns
FSSAI objected to artificial or nature-identical flavouring in products sold as rum or whisky, saying the substances masked their natural characteristics.
Industry and consumer arguments
United Spirits argued that adding ‘rum flavour’ was a longstanding industry practice and that consumers could continue buying the products under an appropriate label.
Authority to restrict sales
Regulatory and labeling concerns
FSSAI prohibited sales of specified variants after laboratory tests found external flavouring substances.
Industry and consumer arguments
United Spirits questioned the regulator’s power to stop sales when there were no findings that the products harmed consumers.
Effect of relabeling
Regulatory and labeling concerns
FSSAI’s directives require companies to remove the disputed flavouring agents or relabel the drinks to comply with labeling rules.
Industry and consumer arguments
Sources cited by Mint said companies would retain the beverages’ composition while changing labels, and an Old Monk consumer said a label change might not alter his purchasing choice.
- Regulator
- Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
- Company withdrawing case
- United Spirits
- Cancelled order
- FSSAI’s 29 June order restricting sales of products made at United Spirits’ Baramati plant
- Court action
- United Spirits withdrew its Bombay High Court challenge after the restriction was revoked
- Continuing challenge
- Mohan Rocky Springwater Breweries is continuing its challenge over selected Old Monk variants
- Proposed compliance
- Liquor makers agreed to remove disputed flavouring agents or relabel products, according to sources cited by Mint
- Reported losses
- Old Monk’s counsel said the prohibition was causing losses of almost ₹1 crore per day