Old Monk cannot be sold as rum, FSSAI tells Bombay High Court

Old Monk cannot be sold or marketed as “rum” because the product is made using neutral spirit and artificial rum flavouring, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has reportedly told the Bombay High Court.

FSSAI’s counsel said the central issue was the product’s fundamental composition, not merely the wording on its label. The drink could instead be classified as a “rum-flavoured spirit,” according to the report. Old Monk has submitted revised labels, and the regulator has asked for more time to examine them. The next hearing is scheduled for September 11.

FSSAI previously banned the product’s sale in Maharashtra after detecting artificial flavouring substances mixed with neutral spirits. The brand agreed to change its packaging and prominently display the words “added flavor” on the bottles.

The action forms part of a wider crackdown on alcohol makers over non-permitted flavours, age-related claims and misleading labels. The Health and Family Welfare Ministry said manufacturers had blended external flavours to imitate the aroma and taste associated with standard products. Such drinks, it said, should be identified as rum-flavoured or whisky-flavoured spirits rather than products in the standard categories.

Laboratory testing of rum and whisky samples from several manufacturers found artificial or nature-identical flavours, according to the ministry. It also said the “7 years old blended” claim on an Old Monk XXX Rum label was misleading because neutral, unmatured or unaged spirit made up the main ingredient, while matured rum spirit accounted for less than 5%, according to the report.

“

Such products are not only sub-standard but are also misrepresented by using the names of standard categories. At best, they can be identified as Rum-flavoured Spirit or Whisky-flavoured Spirit, etc. Further, the front of the pack completely fails to disclose the true nature of the product.