Key facts
- India's Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) issued a warning to Diageo regarding its whisky's labeling.
- The FSSAI stated that Diageo misleadingly claimed its whisky was 'matured in American oak casks'.
- The regulator noted that the product primarily consists of non-matured spirit and grain neutral spirit.
- The FSSAI also found the mention of 'Scotch' on the label to be vague.
- This action is in addition to a recent ban on certain Diageo and Inbrew spirits for using artificial flavoring.
India's food safety regulator has warned liquor giant Diageo that its claim of maturing one of its top-selling whiskies in American oak casks is misleading, as the product primarily contains non-matured spirit and grain neutral spirit. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) stated in a July 20 notice that the whisky's label, which also vaguely mentions 'Scotch', deceives consumers about the product's true characteristics.
This warning comes as the FSSAI intensifies its scrutiny of the $40 billion Indian alcohol industry, following a recent ban on certain Diageo and Inbrew spirits for allegedly using artificial flavoring instead of proper aging and ingredients. Diageo India, operating as United Spirits, has stated it is committed to high quality standards and is actively engaging with the FSSAI to address their queries, anticipating no financial implications from the ban.
The specific products affected by the recent ban include Diageo's Antiquity Blue Whisky and Royal Challenge, and Inbrew's Bagpiper Deluxe Whisky and Old Cask Deluxe XXX Rum, all produced in Madhya Pradesh. Royal Challenge is one of Diageo's best-selling products in India, selling over 4.5 million nine-litre cases annually.