FSSAI Inspects Pernod Ricard Bengaluru Plant, Collects Whisky Samples

India’s food safety regulator FSSAI inspected a Pernod Ricard manufacturing facility in Bengaluru last week and collected liquor samples as part of wider regulatory scrutiny of the country’s alcohol sector, according to sources cited in the report.

The inspection was conducted over two days by officials from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), who also sought documentation from the company, according to three sources familiar with the matter. The sources said no adverse findings had been issued against Pernod Ricard following the inspection.

One Indian government official said the company had been advised to improve hygiene at the Bengaluru plant. The official also said markings indicating the use of recycled plastic on bottles needed to be accurate.

Pernod Ricard confirmed the regulatory visit and said, "Regulatory inspections are an established part of the industry's compliance framework, and we are working constructively with the authorities". The company also told Reuters that it maintains robust quality and safety standards.

Among the products sampled during the inspection were Blenders Pride and Royal Stag, two of Pernod Ricard’s major whisky brands in India. The company describes Blenders Pride as its "top premium blended whiskies in India", while Royal Stag was the first whisky in India that the company says did not use artificial flavourings.

The inspection comes during increased food safety scrutiny of the Indian spirits industry. Earlier this month, FSSAI banned several whisky and rum brands operated by Diageo and other Indian companies over alleged violations involving the addition of flavours.

Diageo has since agreed to reformulate some brands as part of efforts to have bans reversed in some states. The company has also faced action related to bottle labelling, including the seizure of around 18,000 boxes of liquor bottles over alleged deficiencies in markings indicating the use of safe recycled plastic.

The developments have increased attention on manufacturing processes, product formulation and packaging compliance across India’s alcohol industry. Such regulatory action also places greater focus on the compliance status and sourcing of packaged spirits entering bars, restaurants and retail outlets.

Pernod Ricard is separately dealing with other regulatory and legal matters in India, including a $314 million demand related to alleged undervaluation of Scotch whisky imports, an antitrust case concerning its dealings with retailers and a liquor ban in New Delhi over alleged policy violations, which the company denies.