Overview: Mohan Rocky Springwater Breweries Pvt. Ltd. has withdrawn its legal petition from the Bombay High Court regarding a distribution ban imposed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The manufacturer committed to revising product packaging to align with official regulations after the bench disposed of the matter.
The Full Story
The dispute centers on regulatory objections raised over product descriptions and branding used on specific Old Monk variants manufactured at the firm’s Khopoli plant in Maharashtra. FSSAI mandated that because the beverages contain added flavourings, they must be explicitly labelled and marketed as “rum-flavoured spirit” rather than standard “rum.” Additionally, the regulator flagged age and blending claims printed on the bottles, such as “7 Years Old Blended” and “Very Old Vatted,” citing potential non-compliance with national alcoholic beverage standards.
Before withdrawing the case, the distiller argued that the regulatory hold on sales resulted in a financial loss exceeding Rs 350 crore in excise revenue for the Maharashtra state exchequer. However, after the High Court declined to grant interim relief or stay the regulatory order, the company opted against contesting the case on its merits. The bench, comprising Chief Justice Maheshchandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna, subsequently disposed of the matter once the manufacturer agreed to resubmit corrected labels to the food safety regulator for approval.
Production & Profile
The Old Monk variants in question are produced at the Khopoli plant in Maharashtra. Regulatory classification requires these specific products to be identified as a rum-flavoured spirit due to the presence of added flavourings, distinguishing them from standard rum classifications under national alcoholic beverage standards.
What This Means
By agreeing to update the labels to accurately reflect the spirit’s composition, the manufacturer aims to secure regulatory clearance and resume market distribution in accordance with FSSAI compliance guidelines. The decision marks a shift from litigation to operational adjustment following the High Court’s refusal of interim relief.
Consumer Takeaway
Compliance with updated labeling standards ensures that consumers receive products that align with official regulations regarding spirit classification and age claims.
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