Enrica row: Tamil Nadu tightens liquor checks
The Tamil Nadu government has implemented stricter quality testing measures across all distilleries in the state following public concern over the temporary ban and quick clearance of products from Enrica Enterprises, a private manufacturer. The Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC), which is the monopoly agency for selling liquor in the state, procures beer from seven companies and spirits from 11 manufacturers.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had ordered a ban on 11 liquor variants produced by Enrica on August 13, but the Prohibition and Excise office recommended lifting the ban the following day. This swift revocation raised suspicions, leading to demands for strict quality assurance for all beverages sold through the network.
A senior TASMAC official clarified that liquor samples are collected and sent to a central government laboratory in Guindy, Chennai, for quality verification before bottling and dispatch for sale. Additionally, TASMAC officials conduct random bottle testing in retail outlets to ensure quality. Following the Enrica controversy, instructions have been issued to conduct comprehensive quality checks across all distilleries to confirm that alcohol levels strictly adhere to permitted limits.
Health experts and consumer groups argue that relying solely on percentage testing is inadequate for modern food safety standards.
Brief written by urgent.news from The Economic Times's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
