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Diageo India Fights Food Safety Ban on Whisky
3 Aug
Summary
- Diageo India challenges FSSAI order banning whisky sales.
- Company claims product labeling adheres to Indian regulations.
- The dispute involves products from the Baramati manufacturing facility.
Diageo India has formally challenged an order issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) that barred the sale of certain whisky brands. The company filed a writ petition with the Bombay High Court on August 1, 2026, contesting the FSSAI's July 29, 2026, directive. The core of the dispute centers on the labeling of products manufactured at Diageo's Baramati facility, with the FSSAI citing non-compliance with legal provisions.
Diageo India maintains that its product labels are fully compliant with existing Indian regulations and align with long-standing industry practices. The company stated that the FSSAI's order has no significant operational or financial implications at this time, but it is closely monitoring the situation. This action follows the FSSAI's prohibition on the sale of select whisky and rum brands due to the alleged use of artificial or nature-identical flavoring substances.
The FSSAI's order, dated July 29, 2026, specifically targeted products found to contain external artificial flavors. Among the affected items were Diageo India's Antiquity Blue Whisky and Royal Challenge Whisky, manufactured in Madhya Pradesh. Diageo India confirmed it would not comment further as the matter is now sub judice. Industry bodies like CIABC and ISWAI are also addressing this concern with the regulator.
