Now Reading: FSSAI seizes 18,000 Diageo bottles in Bengaluru crackdown
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FSSAI seizes 18,000 Diageo bottles in Bengaluru crackdown
Indian food safety inspectors have seized around 18,000 boxes of Diageo liquor bottles in Bengaluru for lacking mandatory recycled plastic markings, Reuters reported. The action hit over half a dozen brands including…
The Story in Brief
Indian food safety inspectors have seized around 18,000 boxes of Diageo liquor bottles in Bengaluru for lacking mandatory recycled plastic markings, Reuters reported. The action hit over half a dozen brands including VAT 69 whisky, Smirnoff Zesty Lime vodka and DSP Black Deluxe Whisky, in packs typically of 180 ml. The regulator's memo cited concerns over food safety, misleading and misbranding. Diageo India said the bottles came from an FSSAI-approved recycler and its products are safe.
The FSSAI's widening scrutiny of India's $40 billion alcohol industry follows its recent ban on two Diageo whisky brands over alleged false maturity claims. Diageo, which calls India its 'consumer market of the decade', posted $3 billion revenue there last year. The seized products are valued around $1.6 million.
The Indian Opinion
FSSAI has rightly tightened labelling and safety rules, but the Diageo case raises questions of proportionality. Seizing 18,000 boxes of safe whisky over a missing symbol looks heavy-handed. The regulator must show the public its test results, not just issue memos. Will it publish lab reports proving contamination, or is this a campaign to discipline foreign players? That will settle whether this is consumer protection or regulatory overreach.
Source: hindustantimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
