{
  "id": 100011,
  "title": "'Flavouring neutral alcohol isn't right in spirit'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/03/flavouring-neutral-alcohol-isnt-right-in-spirit",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-03T20:18:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Times of India",
    "slug": "times-of-india",
    "url": "https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/flavouring-neutral-alcohol-isnt-right-in-spirit/articleshow/132841088.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "New Delhi: India's Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has ruled that manufacturers cannot add rum or whisky flavor to standard alcoholic beverages and label them as such, as the practice deceives consumers. The regulator explained that the issue lies in the addition of the flavor of the standardized alcoholic beverage itself, rather than using permitted flavoring substances. The natural taste and aroma of spirits like rum and whisky should develop from their base ingredients, fermentation, distillation, and maturation process. Some manufacturers were found to produce neutral alcohol-based beverages and then add identical flavoring substances to mimic the taste and aroma of rum or whisky. Such products should be labeled as \"rum-flavored spirit\" or \"whisky-flavored spirit,\" with clear labeling on the front of the pack. Laboratory tests revealed that the addition of artificial or nature-identical flavors distorted the products' natural characteristics, making them sub-standard under existing regulations. Consequently, FSSAI prohibited the sale of products from certain manufacturers, including Mohan Rocky Springwater, United Spirits, INBREW Beverages, Associated Alcohol & Breweries, and Mandexi Distilleries & Breweries in Goa. The authority also rejected a claim of a \"7 years old blended\" for an Old Monk XXX Rum variant, stating that the product primarily consisted of neutral, unmatured spirit.",
  "summary": "The FSSAI has prohibited adding rum or whisky flavour to spirits. This practice misrepresents the true nature of alcoholic beverages and misleads consumers. Manufacturers were found using neutral alcohol and adding identical flavouring substances. Several companies, including United Spirits, faced prohibitions and notices. The regulator stressed that characteristic taste should develop naturally…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}