Diageo has agreed to reformulate some of its popular whisky and rum products sold in India after food safety authorities raised concerns over the use of added flavouring substances, according to government sources cited by Reuters.
The decision follows a major food safety crackdown earlier this month in which India’s food regulator restricted several liquor brands over alleged violations involving flavouring and labelling requirements.
Among the products affected are Antiquity Blue and Royal Challenge whisky, manufactured in Madhya Pradesh, and McDowell’s No. 1 Celebration Matured XXX Rum, manufactured in Maharashtra.
According to the government sources, Diageo has agreed to stop adding whisky flavouring to whisky products and rum flavouring to rum products as part of the reformulation process. The changes will apply to the affected brands manufactured across India, rather than only in states where restrictions were previously imposed.
Front of Pack Labelling Changes
While the reformulated products are being introduced, Diageo has also agreed to make the flavouring information clearer on the front of the packaging, according to the sources.
Royal Challenge is one of Diageo’s leading whisky brands in India, with the company reporting annual sales of more than 4.5 million nine-litre cases.
The development comes as regulators continue to increase scrutiny of the country’s large alcoholic beverages market, particularly over product composition, labelling and manufacturing practices.
Diageo’s Indian subsidiary United Spirits and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had not immediately responded to Reuters’ requests for comment at the time of publication.
The latest action adds to regulatory pressure on Diageo. Indian inspectors have also seized around 18,000 boxes of Diageo liquor bottles over alleged missing markings indicating the use of safe recycled plastic, according to an earlier Reuters report.
The reformulation agreement could now allow regulators to withdraw the restrictions once the required changes and compliance measures are implemented.
📢 Be Aware, We never charge any consultancy fee for jobs.
📲 Foodtech Network WhatsApp Jobs Group
Click to join the WhatsApp group
👥Free Membership (For Jobs, Internship and Training)
Membership registration
⚙️ Food Entrepreneurs & Startups (For business owners)
Our services (Free and Paid)
📱 Food safety training and certification.
Check our training portal and enroll now
