India to set standards for beer, wine and spirits

The Indian food standards and safety body is looking to set standards for 

alcoholic beverages in the country in order to ensure better product 

quality and safety for the consumer.

India to set standards for alcoholic beverages to ensure quality and safety

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which took over the responsibility of setting food standards in the country last August, has now set up an expert group that is drawing up benchmarks for alcoholic beverages.

A FSSAI official told FoodNavigator-Asia.com that the group is made up of scientists, industry experts, and beverage manufacture representatives.

“The group was initiated at the end of last month. They have begun working on a draft of standards that should be ready by the end of March. But I am not sure of that deadline,” he said.

“As I understand, they would cover all alcoholic beverages allowed to be sold in the country under the current licensing regulations. They will obviously not cover local beverages made and sold in select regions off the market,” he added.

The experts are trying to meet the 1 July deadline for implementation of the final standards, added the spokesperson. This is also the target for the completion of the final standards for health drinks, on which another committee has been tasked with.

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