Old Monk faces setback; FSSAI says it is rum-flavoured spirit

MUMBAI: Have Old Monk lovers been misled for years? According to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the popular Old Monk product is not actually rum in its current form, but a spirit flavoured with rum.

The FSSAI informed the Bombay High Court that the product cannot be sold as rum in its current form. It said the drink is made by blending neutral spirit with rum flavouring and should instead be described as “rum-flavoured spirit.”

Following the development, the sale of Old Monk was stopped in Maharashtra. The company is reportedly losing around Rs 1 crore every day due to the halt in sales.

The FSSAI had earlier raised objections to the words “Seven Years Old Blended” used on Old Monk bottles. The authority made the latest submission while hearing a petition filed by Mohan Rocky Spring Water, the manufacturer of Old Monk, challenging the FSSAI's objections.

According to the authority, the matured rum spirit accounts for less than five per cent of the blend, which could mislead consumers. It also pointed out that information about the flavours added to the alcohol is printed in small letters on the label, making it difficult for consumers to notice and read.

Rum, whisky and other alcoholic beverages are produced by fermenting various raw materials, including sugarcane products and grains.”

‘Seven Years Old Blended’ to be dropped

The manufacturer told the court that it was willing to print information about the flavouring in larger letters. It also agreed to remove the phrase “Seven Years Old Blended” from the bottles. Meanwhile, several Old Monk fans have expressed disappointment, saying they feel they were misled about the product. The case will be heard again on the 11th.