Archive · 20 Aug 2026
FSSAI Revokes Order Affecting United Spirits’ Baramati Rum
India’s food regulator had questioned some alcohol companies about how they used added flavours and described products on their labels.
One questioned factory belongs to United Spirits and is located in Baramati, Maharashtra.
It makes McDowell’s No.
1 Celebration Matured XXX Rum.
United Spirits disagreed with the regulator and took the matter to the Bombay High Court.
After discussions with the regulator, FSSAI cancelled its June 29 order for the Baramati product.
United Spirits received the cancellation on August 18, 2026.
FSSAI said it was not banning all flavouring substances.
Instead, it was concerned about flavours designed to imitate the natural profile of drinks such as rum or whisky.
Another court separately paused an order involving Associated Alcohols and Breweries.
FSSAI revoked its June 29, 2026, order concerning a product made at United Spirits’ Baramati unit.
United Spirits had challenged the order in the Bombay High Court on August 1, 2026.
The Baramati facility manufactures McDowell’s No. 1 Celebration Matured XXX Rum.
FSSAI said it was examining added flavours that mimic the natural profile of standardised alcoholic drinks.
A separate Madhya Pradesh High Court bench stayed an FSSAI order involving Associated Alcohols and Breweries.
- Who
- United Spirits Ltd, controlled by Diageo PLC, and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India; other notified manufacturers included Associated Alcohols and Breweries Ltd and INBREW Beverages.
- What
- FSSAI revoked its June 29, 2026, order concerning the sale of a product made at United Spirits’ Baramati facility.
- When
- The revocation order was dated August 17, 2026, and United Spirits received it on August 18, 2026; the company filed its court petition on August 1.
- Where
- United Spirits’ Baramati unit in Maharashtra, India; the challenge was filed before the Bombay High Court.
- Why
- FSSAI had raised concerns about added flavours mimicking the natural profile of standardised alcoholic beverages and about label compliance.
United Spirits’ Position
FSSAI’s Position
Label compliance
United Spirits’ Position
United Spirits said the declarations on its labels complied with India’s prevailing legal and regulatory framework and reflected long-standing industry practice.
FSSAI’s Position
FSSAI issued notices over alleged label non-compliance, including concerns involving age-related claims.
Use of flavouring substances
United Spirits’ Position
United Spirits challenged the regulator’s observations and sought judicial relief against the June 29 order.
FSSAI’s Position
FSSAI clarified that it had not prohibited flavouring substances generally, but objected to added flavours that mimic the natural profile of standardised drinks, such as rum flavour in rum or whisky flavour in whisky.
Regulatory outcome
United Spirits’ Position
After engagement with FSSAI, United Spirits reported that the order concerning its Baramati product had been revoked.
FSSAI’s Position
FSSAI’s broader notices also covered facilities operated by Associated Alcohols and Breweries and INBREW Beverages; a separate court later stayed the order involving Associated Alcohols and Breweries.
- Regulator
- Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
- Company
- United Spirits Ltd, part of Diageo PLC
- Affected facility
- United Spirits’ Baramati unit in Maharashtra
- Affected product
- McDowell’s No. 1 Celebration Matured XXX Rum
- Original order
- Issued by FSSAI on June 29, 2026
- Revocation order
- Dated August 17, 2026, and received by United Spirits on August 18, 2026
- Related court action
- The Bombay High Court challenge was filed on August 1, 2026; the Madhya Pradesh High Court separately stayed an order involving Associated Alcohols and Breweries