No Nutritional Info On Label Except Energy Content: FSSAI Announces Crucial Amendment To Alcoholic Beverages Regulations

In line with the notification, the amendment introduces significant changes to two key areas within the Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) Regulations. The revised regulations are scheduled to take effect from March 1, 2024.

Alterations to Malt and Grain Whisky Definitions

The newly ratified amendment seeks to redefine the classifications of malt and grain whisky in the regulations. Notably, the modification replaces clause (i) in sub-regulation 2.8.1 of Part 2. This clause pertains to the definition of single malt whisky. As per the amendment, single malt whisky will now be defined as a distillate obtained from fermented mash using exclusively malted barley. Furthermore, it must be distilled solely in a pot still and be produced within a single distillery.

Additionally, the amendment introduces a new classification known as "single grain whisky." This type of whisky is distilled from a fermented mash incorporating either malted or unmalted grain. It must also originate from a single distillery. However, it's important to note that single grain whisky excludes both single malt whisky and blended malt whisky or blended grain whisky.

Nutritional Information Labeling

Part 5 of the Alcoholic Beverages Regulations undergoes a noteworthy transformation through the amendment. Regulation 5.5, which deals with the information presented on alcoholic beverage labels, is replaced in its entirety. The revised regulation stipulates that alcoholic beverages are not required to display any nutritional information except for the energy content in kilocalories (kcal). However, the declaration of energy content remains voluntary.