Old Monk Maker Withdraws Bombay High Court Plea Against FSSAI Sales Ban, Agrees to Revise Labels

Mohan Rocky Springwater Breweries, the manufacturer of Old Monk in Maharashtra, has withdrawn its petition before the Bombay High Court challenging a sales prohibition imposed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The company has told the court that it will prepare revised product labels and submit them directly to the regulator for approval, instead of continuing its legal challenge against the order.

The development marks a new stage in the dispute over how certain Old Monk variants are classified and marketed. FSSAI has objected to the use of the generic description “rum” on products containing added flavouring, arguing that they should instead be labelled as “rum-flavoured spirit”. The regulator has also questioned age-related descriptions such as “7 Years Old Blended” and “Very Old Vatted”. The withdrawal does not automatically lift the sales restriction in Maharashtra.

Old Monk Manufacturer Withdraws Legal Challenge

The company informed a division bench of the Bombay High Court on November 5 that it would withdraw its petition against FSSAI’s prohibition order.

The bench comprised Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait M. Sethna. Mohan Rocky Springwater Breweries said it would modify its packaging and submit fresh label designs directly to FSSAI for approval.

The court allowed the company to withdraw its petition and disposed of the matter.

The legal dispute began after FSSAI’s Western Regional Office issued an order halting the sale and distribution of several Old Monk variants manufactured at the company’s Khopoli facility in Maharashtra.

The manufacturer had initially approached the High Court seeking to overturn the regulatory action, arguing that its products complied with applicable excise requirements and that the restrictions were affecting its business.

However, the court had repeatedly declined to grant interim relief that would allow sales to resume while the case was being heard. The company has now chosen to pursue a revised-label route rather than continue the challenge on its merits.

Why FSSAI Objected to Old Monk’s Labels

The central issue concerns the composition and labelling of certain Old Monk products.

FSSAI’s position is that the affected products use predominantly neutral alcohol along with added nature-identical or artificial flavouring substances. According to the regulator, such products cannot simply be marketed under the generic classification of rum if their composition does not meet the applicable regulatory requirements.

The authority has argued that the products should be identified as “rum-flavoured spirit” under the Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) Regulations.

The regulator has also raised concerns about whether the packaging clearly communicates the use of added flavouring to consumers.

The manufacturer has previously disputed the regulator’s interpretation, arguing that its formulations comply with the relevant rules and that the ingredients are disclosed on the packaging.

The disagreement therefore involves more than the wording printed on a bottle. It concerns how the product is classified, what information must be disclosed and whether the description could create a misleading impression about its composition.

‘7 Years Old Blended’ and ‘Very Old Vatted’ Claims Under Scrutiny

Another important part of the dispute involves the age-related descriptions used on certain Old Monk labels.

FSSAI questioned descriptions such as “7 Years Old Blended” and “Very Old Vatted”, arguing that they could give consumers an inaccurate impression of the age and maturation of the spirit.

During earlier hearings, the Bombay High Court also questioned whether the wording could lead ordinary consumers to believe that the entire blend had been aged for seven years.

The regulator’s position is that age-related claims must accurately reflect the applicable requirements for the spirits used in a blend. It has argued that the description should not create an impression that the entire product has a particular maturation history if that is not supported by its composition.

The manufacturer had previously indicated its willingness to remove the disputed age-related descriptions and make the disclosure of added flavours more prominent.

The revised packaging is expected to address these concerns as part of the company’s attempt to obtain regulatory approval.

Sales Ban in Maharashtra Is Not Automatically Lifted

The withdrawal of the court petition does not mean that Old Monk sales can immediately resume in Maharashtra.

The original prohibition order remains an important regulatory obstacle. The manufacturer must submit revised labels and obtain the necessary approvals before proceeding with the affected products.

The distinction is important because the court’s decision to permit withdrawal is not the same as a judicial ruling that the original FSSAI order was invalid.

The company is now seeking a regulatory resolution through revised packaging rather than a court order overturning the restriction.

The approval process may also involve further scrutiny of the product descriptions, ingredient disclosures and other applicable labelling requirements.

Manufacturer Had Flagged Financial Impact of the Restriction

During the earlier legal proceedings, the manufacturer argued that the sales restriction had caused substantial economic damage.

The company claimed that the action had resulted in a loss of more than ₹350 crore in excise revenue for the Maharashtra government. It also referred to the impact on factory operations and employees at its Khopoli facility.

These figures were arguments presented by the company during the dispute, rather than independently established estimates of the final financial impact.

The restriction has also drawn attention because Old Monk is one of India’s established rum brands, with a long-standing presence in the domestic alcoholic beverages market.

For the manufacturer, the outcome of the revised-label process will be important for restoring the affected products’ distribution in Maharashtra.

What the Dispute Means for India’s Alcoholic Beverages Industry

The Old Monk case highlights the importance of product classification and transparent labelling in India’s alcoholic beverages industry.

FSSAI’s objections concern whether products using added flavouring can be marketed under a particular category and whether descriptions on packaging accurately represent their ingredients and maturation.

The issue is not limited to one brand. Earlier reports have also highlighted regulatory scrutiny of other alcoholic beverage products containing artificial or nature-identical flavouring substances.

For manufacturers, the dispute could increase the importance of reviewing product formulations, ingredient declarations and packaging claims before products reach the market.

For consumers, clearer labelling can make it easier to understand what a beverage contains and how it has been produced.

The Bigger Picture

The Old Monk dispute illustrates how regulatory requirements can affect even well-established consumer brands. A product’s market recognition does not remove the obligation to comply with food safety and labelling rules. At the same time, differences in interpretation between manufacturers and regulators can create uncertainty for businesses, distributors and retailers.

The decision to withdraw the petition shifts the immediate focus from courtroom arguments to regulatory approval. The eventual outcome will depend on whether the revised labels satisfy FSSAI’s requirements, particularly concerning product classification, added flavours and age-related claims.

Looking Ahead

Mohan Rocky Springwater Breweries will now need to submit its revised labels to FSSAI and complete the applicable approval process. Until the regulator accepts the changes and the necessary restrictions are addressed, the affected Old Monk products cannot be assumed to have clearance for sale in Maharashtra. The company has not established a confirmed date for the resumption of sales.

The case could also influence how other alcoholic beverage manufacturers review their product descriptions and packaging. Greater clarity on the treatment of flavoured spirits and maturation claims may help reduce future disputes, while the immediate priority for Old Monk’s manufacturer remains securing regulatory approval and restoring the affected products to the Maharashtra market.