India's food safety regulator has initiated enforcement action against several alcoholic beverage brands for incorporating artificial flavours that are not permitted under current regulations.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) cited laboratory analysis showing that these additives were used to mask the natural taste of the products, effectively rendering them substandard.
The regulator's findings indicate a breach of consumer protection standards, with lab reports confirming that the artificial flavouring compromised the integrity of the beverages.
This move signals a tightening of oversight in the alchobev segment, where product quality and adherence to formulation guidelines are under increased scrutiny.
The crackdown adds to a broader trend of regulatory enforcement across emerging markets.
In a similar vein, Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) recently escalated operations in Lagos, targeting counterfeit beverages and expired food products.