Potential legal penalties for brewers ignoring FSSAI labeling rules

Following a series of inspections, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has escalated its stance against liquor producers who flout labeling norms. Show‑cause notices have been dispatched to firms that listed age indicators such as “aged 8 years” or “12‑year‑old” without meeting the statutory definition.

The authority clarified that any age claim must be based on the youngest spirit in the mixture, a rule meant to prevent consumers from being misled about the product’s heritage and quality. Failure to rectify the labelling discrepancies could result in prosecution under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Legal experts indicate that the penalties may include fines reaching several crore rupees, suspension of the production licence, or outright revocation. In severe cases, criminal charges could be filed against senior executives.

The FSSAI emphasized that its primary responsibility is to ensure transparency and safety in food and beverage markets, and it will not tolerate any attempts to obscure true product attributes.