India’s primary food safety watchdog, the FSSAI, has issued a stern warning to liquor giant Diageo, alleging that its labeling practices for certain top-selling whiskies are misleading to consumers. A confidential notice revealed that the regulator took issue with the claim that the spirits were "matured in American oak casks," noting that a significant portion of the product actually consists of unmatured grain neutral spirits rather than wood-aged liquor. The FSSAI emphasized that any age-related marketing must reflect the youngest component in the blend, rather than highlighting older ingredients to create a false impression of quality.

This regulatory action is part of a broader crackdown on India’s massive $40-billion alcohol industry, which has recently faced bans on several brands, including Royal Challenge and Antiquity Blue, due to the use of artificial flavorings instead of traditional aging processes. Beyond the concerns regarding maturation, the regulator also criticized the vague mention of "Scotch" on labels, demanding more transparency regarding the specific characteristics of the ingredients used. While Diageo India maintains that it adheres to high quality standards and is working closely with the FSSAI to resolve these labeling disputes, the incident marks a significant escalation in the government's efforts to curb deceptive marketing across the food and beverage sectors.