Key Update

Mohan Meakin, the company behind Old Monk, has agreed to remove the iconic “7 years old blended” claim from the rum’s packaging following objections raised by FSSAI. The company has also agreed to make the presence of added flavours more prominent on the label. The changes follow a dispute over the composition and labelling of certain Old Monk variants, after FSSAI halted their sale in Maharashtra.

FSSAI Raises Concerns Over Old Monk

FSSAI questioned both the product’s composition and the claims made on its packaging. According to the regulator, neutral, unmatured spirit forms the principal component of the product, while matured rum spirit accounts for less than 5% of the blend. FSSAI argued that this composition could make the “7 years old blended” claim misleading to consumers.

The regulator also objected to the use of external artificial or nature-identical flavouring agents. It maintained that rum should derive its characteristic taste and aroma through recognised manufacturing processes, including fermentation and maturation. A report by Bar and Bench stated that FSSAI argued that Old Monk relied heavily on neutral spirits combined with artificial flavourings rather than naturally fermented sugarcane spirit.

Bombay High Court Questions Labelling

The dispute also raised concerns about how the company disclosed added flavours on its packaging. During the hearing, the Bombay High Court questioned whether consumers could clearly read and understand the information when the declarations appeared in fine print. To address the concerns, Mohan Meakin gave an undertaking before the court to revise its packaging. The company agreed to remove the “7 years old blended” claim and prominently disclose the presence of added flavours on the revised label.

Old Monk Sales Remain Halted in Maharashtra

Mohan Meakin approached the Bombay High Court after FSSAI issued notices that halted the sale of Old Monk in Maharashtra. However, the court did not grant the company interim relief against the prohibition order. The court has now directed Mohan Meakin to submit a fresh, digitally printed label for review.

Source: NDTV