The two-day inspection at the French spirits maker’s plant last week saw inspectors collecting liquor samples for testing and requested documents related to the company’s operations
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) officials last week inspected a Pernod Ricard factory in Bengaluru and collected samples of its liquor products, according to a Reuters report, citing four sources familiar with the matter, as authorities widen scrutiny of the country’s $40 billion alcoholic beverages industry.
The two-day inspection at the French spirits maker’s plant saw inspectors collecting liquor samples for testing and requested documents related to the company’s operations.
According to the report, citing a government official, Pernod had also been told to improve hygiene at the facility and ensure that markings indicating the use of recycled plastic on its bottles were accurate.
The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the matter is confidential, said FSSAI officials had not issued any adverse findings against Pernod Ricard following the inspection.
Pernod confirmed that its facility had been visited by food safety officials.
“Regulatory inspections are an established part of the industry’s compliance framework, and we are working constructively with the authorities,” Reuters quoted the company as saying in a statement.
Pernod added that it maintains robust quality and safety standards.
More from IndiaThe FSSAI has not publicly disclosed details of the inspection.
Samples of popular whisky brands collected
One source said inspectors collected samples of Pernod’s Blenders Pride and Royal Stag whiskies during the visit.
Pernod describes Blenders Pride as its “top premium blended whiskies in India”, while Royal Stag is marketed by the company as the first whisky in India not to use any artificial flavourings.
The inspection comes amid an intensified regulatory crackdown on India’s alcoholic beverages industry, one of the world’s largest liquor markets.
Earlier this month, the FSSAI banned several whisky and rum brands made by Diageo and other Indian companies, alleging improper addition of flavours.
The move has triggered concern across the industry and prompted companies to review their products and compliance practices.
Diageo has agreed to reformulate some of its popular brands in an effort to have the bans lifted in some states, Reuters reported this week.
The regulator has also scrutinised Diageo over labelling and the alleged improper addition of whisky flavouring to its products.
Separately, FSSAI officials seized around 18,000 boxes of Diageo liquor bottles during an inspection of one of its facilities over allegations that the bottles lacked markings indicating they were made using safe recycled plastic, Reuters reported last week.
Pernod faces wider regulatory challenges
The scrutiny adds to a series of regulatory and legal challenges facing Pernod Ricard in India, a key growth market for global spirits companies.
The French company is facing a $314 million demand from Indian authorities over allegations that it undervalued imports of Scotch whisky.
Pernod also faces an antitrust case and a separate ban in New Delhi linked to alleged violations of the capital’s liquor policy.
The company has denied wrongdoing in those cases.
The latest FSSAI inspection does not, however, indicate that the regulator has taken any adverse action against Pernod.
The sources said the visit was part of the broader food safety and compliance checks being carried out across the industry.
The developments highlight the growing regulatory pressure on major alcohol companies operating in India, where authorities have stepped up checks on product composition, labelling, packaging and manufacturing standards.
With inputs from agencies
