‘Made using rum flavouring’: FSSAI informs Bombay High Court Old Monk can’t be sold as rum

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has informed the Bombay High Court that Old Monk, a popular alcoholic beverage, cannot be sold as rum. The court is currently hearing a plea by Mohan Rocky Springwater Pvt Ltd, which is seeking to quash the FSSAI order that has suspended the sale of Old Monk in Maharashtra.

The agency prohibited the sale of the brand due to the inclusion of external rum flavouring without clear labeling as flavoured rum. The manufacturer has agreed to modify its packaging labels, explicitly stating "added flavour" and removing the "7 years old blended" description. Senior Advocate Rajshekhar Govilkar argued that the product, being made from neutral spirit with rum flavours, cannot be called rum, stating that it merely mimics the flavour.

The court questioned if the product must possess the characteristics and quality of a rum, given that it is predominantly marketed as one. The bench expressed concern that granting an interim stay would amount to a final relief, as the parties are already debating the matter in length. The hearing was adjourned to September 8, with instructions for the Additional Solicitor General to address the modified labels.