NEWS
INDIAN REGULATOR REVOKES SALES BAN OR MCDOWELL’S NO. 1 RUM
By Staff Reporter
26-8-2026
Diageo India
India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) has revoked the sales prohibition against McDowell’s No.1 Rum produced at United Spirits’ Baramati manufacturing facility, concluding a high profile regulatory restriction that formed part of a national crackdown on labelling and flavouring practices across the domestic spirits industry.
The original ban dated 29 June, 2026, barred distribution for the McDowell’s No.1 Rum variant made at the Maharashtra based Baramati plant, over laboratory findings alleging non‑compliance relating to external flavour additions that risked misleading consumers.
Diageo owned United Spirits challenged the order via a writ petition filed with the Bombay High Court, while engaging in formal consultations with FSSAI officials.
The regulator issued its revocation order on 17 August, which the company officially received on 18 August.
Crucially, the relief applies only to this specific label manufactured at the Baramati site, and does not automatically clear other United Spirits product lines flagged in the same regulatory sweep.
Sales restrictions remain in force for Royal Challenge Whisky and Antiquity Blue Whisky, two major mass market brands produced at the group’s Madhya Pradesh plant, over identical concerns regarding impermissible added flavouring substances and packaging disclosures.
Those two labels cannot be distributed until compliance conditions are fully met.
Faced with the ongoing regulatory pressure, Diageo’s Indian subsidiary has committed to wide-ranging reformulation work across its domestic spirits portfolio, removing disputed whisky flavour and rum flavour additives from production nationwide, not only at the facilities currently under ban.
The company is working within a 90-day transition timeline to adjust recipes and update product labelling.
Existing compliant inventory can continue retail sales during the overhaul period, while non-compliant new output remains blocked from market release.
United Spirits noted in its regulatory filing that the revocation for McDowell’s No.1 Rum from Baramati would have no material financial or operational impact on group performance.
The development comes as FSSAI broadens its oversight across India’s alcohol sector.
Regulator teams recently completed a two‑day inspection at Pernod Ricard’s Bengaluru plant, collecting product samples of Blenders Pride and Royal Stag whiskies for laboratory analysis and reviewing manufacturing documentation.
Inspectors pointed out minor corrective areas covering plant‑floor hygiene standards and accurate labelling for recycled-plastic bottle markings.
No formal adverse orders or sales bans have been issued against Pernod Ricard to date, according to people familiar with the proceedings.
“Regulatory inspections form a normal part of our industry compliance framework. We maintain robust product quality standards and are cooperating constructively with authorities,” the company commented.
Industry observers frame the twin developments as signals of tighter enforcement of India’s alcoholic beverage regulations.
Market participants expect further regulatory clarification in the coming weeks, as the sector adjusts to the evolving compliance landscape.
(the writer can be contacted at: info@thewinechronicle.com)
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