If you think adulteration only occurs in food and beverages, this news may surprise you. Now, questions have been raised about drinks like rum and whiskey. According to the FSSAI, some companies are adding flavors that make them taste and smell like real rum or whiskey. This is why the regulator has initiated action against several companies.
If you’re a rum or whiskey lover, be sure to read the label when purchasing a bottle. FSSAI recommends that any flavorings added to a drink should be clearly stated on the label. This will help customers easily understand whether the flavor in the bottle is naturally occurring or has been created by adding flavorings.
What is the whole matter?
The FSSAI says that some companies are adding extra flavors to rum and whiskey to make them taste and smell like the original. However, according to regulations, these flavors and aromas should come naturally from the brewing process and long simmering in barrels, not from the addition of additional flavors.
Why does FSSAI consider it wrong?
According to FSSAI, authentic rum and whiskey should have a natural flavor and aroma. If a bottle has been flavored, it cannot simply be labeled rum or whiskey. Such bottles must clearly state that they are rum-flavored spirits or whiskey-flavored spirits, so that the buyer can identify the flavoring.
Is it wrong to use all kinds of flavors?
No, FSSAI hasn’t banned all flavors. Flavors can be used in certain cases, as per regulations. However, adding flavors to a liquor solely to give it the taste and aroma of real rum or whiskey is considered against the regulations.
How to identify real and fake rum?
It’s not easy to determine whether a drink has been flavored or not simply by taste. Therefore, FSSAI recommends carefully reading the bottle label. If a drink has been flavored, this information should be clearly stated on the label.