Old Monk cannot be sold as rum, FSSAI tells Bombay HC

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Thursday told the Bombay High Court that Old Monk cannot be marketed as rum because the product is made with neutral spirit and rum flavouring.

Appearing for FSSAI, the regulator’s counsel clarified that the objection was not limited to the product’s labelling but extended to its composition and how it is described.

“What is not permitted is to sell this product as rum,” the counsel told the court, adding that it could instead be marketed as a “rum-flavoured spirit”.

Old Monk maker Mohan Meakin has submitted revised labels before the court, following earlier concerns raised by the regulator. FSSAI has sought additional time to examine the new labels and decide whether they can be approved. The matter will next come up for hearing on September 11.

The dispute follows an undertaking given by Mohan Meakin earlier this week to remove the “7 years old blended” claim from Old Monk packaging and make the presence of added flavours more prominent.

The changes came after FSSAI raised concerns over the composition and labelling of certain Old Monk variants and halted their sale in Maharashtra.

A key issue before the court is the impression created by the “7 years old blended” description. FSSAI has contended that the product consists predominantly of neutral, unmatured spirit, while matured rum spirit makes up less than 5 per cent of the blend.

During an earlier hearing, the Bombay High Court questioned whether the age-related description could lead consumers to believe that the entire beverage had been aged for seven years.

Based on laboratory reports, FSSAI issued prohibition-of-sale orders against products manufactured by Mohan Rocky Springwater's Khopoli unit, United Spirits' Baramati facility, INBREW Beverages in Madhya Pradesh, Associated Alcohol & Breweries in Madhya Pradesh, and a United Spirits unit in Madhya Pradesh.

The affected brands include Old Monk rum variants, McDowell's No.1 Rum, Bagpiper Deluxe Whisky, Old Cask Deluxe XXX Rum, Antiquity Blue Whisky and Royal Challenge Whisky.