The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has extended the deadline for the implementation of the Food Safety and Standards Alcoholic Beverages Regulations, 2018 to 31 March 2020.
The food regulatory authority had received representations from various stakeholders in respect of difficulties being faced to the labeling of Indian brandy as Indian brandy (made from molasses spirit), because brandy is widely made from sources other than molasses.
After considering the representations it received asking for extension FSSAI has issued a notification, stating that, the decision to extend the implementation was taken for Indian brandy, made from molasses, and the use of unused old labels and printed cans.
The notice also stated, “After due consideration, it has been decided that the date of implementation of labelling of Indian brandy as Indian brandy (made from molasses spirit), as mentioned in Para 3 Annexure 1 of the Alcoholic Beverages Regulations, and the time period for the use of unused old label and printed cans in Para iv of the said direction is further extended up to 31 March 2020.”
Representations were also received from various stakeholders, stating that they have registered the brand with the excise department for twelve months till March 31, 2020, paying a huge amount as registration fee. Modifying the labels as per the requirement of the statutes will be a heavy financial burden on them and has requested to provide extra time, the notice stated.
In March 2019, FSSAI has issued a direction for the implementation of the said regulations and a period of six months was given for the implementation of the regulations for Indian brandy and unused labels.
