Bombay HC Rejects Relief for Old Monk Maker, Company to Redesign Label

The Bombay High Court has declined interim relief to Mohan Rocky Springwater Pvt Ltd, the maker of Old Monk, after FSSAI halted the rum’s sale in Maharashtra over concerns about its labelling.

The court questioned claims such as “7 years old blended” and “very old vatted”, saying they could give consumers the impression that the rum had been aged for that period. It also found the disclosure of added flavours on the packaging difficult to read. The company has agreed to remove the age-related claims and make the use of added flavours more prominent on its packaging. The case will be heard again on September 3.

With sales suspended in Maharashtra, the manufacturer agreed to revise its label, packaging and product description, while making the disclosure of added flavours more visible. The central government contended that the rum uses neutral spirits blended with artificial flavourings, rather than naturally fermented sugarcane.

FSSAI counsel argued that the rules require naturally fermented sugarcane to provide the drink’s taste and aroma. The company, however, maintained that the regulations allow neutral spirits with approved flavouring additives and claimed it was being singled out while competitors faced no similar action.