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MP High Court stays FSSAI ban on Associated Alcohols liquor
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has stayed the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India’s (FSSAI) July 29 order prohibiting sale of whisky and rum by Associated Alcohols and Breweries (AABL). The…
The Story in Brief
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has stayed the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India’s (FSSAI) July 29 order prohibiting sale of whisky and rum by Associated Alcohols and Breweries (AABL). The Indore bench noted that FSSAI issued the prohibition two days after AABL submitted its reply to a show-cause notice, without addressing the company’s arguments.
The dispute centres on FSSAI’s objection to labelling and flavouring of AABL’s products. FSSAI argues whisky and rum should derive flavour from ingredients and processes, not added flavours. AABL says it uses “artificial flavour” as per law and industry practice. The court found this explanation unsatisfactory and granted interim relief until the next hearing.
The Indian Opinion
FSSAI’s rush to ban products without considering the company’s reply looks like bureaucratic overreach, not consumer protection. The regulator has a point about traditional spirits relying on natural fermentation, but if current law allows artificial flavours with proper labelling, then changing the rules should happen through consultation, not sudden orders. The real test is whether FSSAI can show that AABL’s labels actually mislead consumers. If not, this case weakens the regulator’s credibility just when India needs stronger, fairer food safety enforcement.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
