Draft Amendments Open for Public Feedback

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has released draft amendments to the Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) Regulations, 2018. The draft, notified on October 30, 2025, invites public comments within 60 days of its publication in the Official Gazette. FSSAI proposes to make standard drink labelling compulsory by replacing the word “may” with “shall” in Part 5, Regulation 5.2. This change aims to improve consumer awareness about alcohol content and promote responsible consumption.

Revised Sugar Limits for Sparkling Wines

The regulator suggests updating sugar specifications for sparkling wines, particularly for the Brut category. The amendment allows a tolerance of 0.3% above the existing 1.2% sugar limit, giving producers more flexibility while maintaining quality standards. FSSAI also recommends removing the phrase “or special wine used” from the section on Wine-Based Beverages. This update aims to simplify product classification and eliminate ambiguity.

Stakeholder Consultation Underway

FSSAI has opened these amendments for stakeholder review. Individuals and organisations can submit objections or suggestions to the Chief Executive Officer, FSSAI. Once finalised, these updates will bring clearer labelling rules and more precise compositional requirements for alcoholic beverages in India.

Source: Storyboard18