Key Update

The Tamil Nadu government has ordered quality checks across all distilleries in the State following concerns over the temporary ban and quick clearance of liquor products made by Enrica Enterprises.

The issue began on August 13, when the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) stopped the sale of 11 liquor variants manufactured by Enrica Enterprises following a directive from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

However, the Prohibition and Excise Department recommended lifting the ban the next day, allowing TASMAC to resume sales. The quick reversal raised concerns among consumers and TASMAC employees, who called for stronger quality checks on liquor sold through the State-run network.

How Liquor Is Tested

TASMAC already follows a testing process before liquor reaches consumers. After manufacturers produce the liquor, officials collect samples and send them to the Central Government Laboratory in Guindy, Chennai.

Prohibition and Excise officials check the laboratory reports before allowing manufacturers to bottle and dispatch the products for sale. TASMAC officials also randomly collect bottles from retail outlets and send them for testing.

New Checks Across All Distilleries

Following the Enrica controversy, authorities have now instructed officials to carry out comprehensive quality checks at all distilleries. The checks will verify whether alcohol levels in liquor comply with prescribed standards.

A senior TASMAC official said the corporation has relied mainly on standard chemical analysis at the Guindy laboratory since November 2003. The testing includes checking alcohol strength. The official said standard liquor is tested against 42.8% alcohol by volume (ABV), while wines generally contain 12%–15% ABV and beers 5%–8% ABV.

However, health experts and consumer groups have questioned whether checking alcohol percentage alone is enough to establish the overall safety and quality of alcoholic beverages.

Wide Range of Brands Under TASMAC

TASMAC sells around 250 liquor brands from Tamil Nadu and other States. These include more than 180 local liquor brands, 43 local beer brands and three local wine brands, along with liquor, beer and wine brands from other States. The latest order will expand quality checks across the State’s distilleries following the concerns raised by the Enrica case.

Source: Deccan Chronicle