Around 18,000 Boxes Of Diageo Liquor Seized: Why Whisky, Vodka Bottles Are Under FSSAI Scanner
News india Around 18,000 Boxes Of Diageo Liquor Seized: Why Whisky, Vodka Bottles Are Under FSSAI Scanner Around 18,000 Boxes Of Diageo Liquor Seized: Why
News india Around 18,000 Boxes Of Diageo Liquor Seized: Why Whisky, Vodka Bottles Are Under FSSAI Scanner Around 18,000 Boxes Of Diageo Liquor Seized: Why Whisky, Vodka Bottles Are Under FSSAI Scanner Published By, Last Updated: August 10, 2026, 17:47 IST FSSAI has seized 18,000 boxes of Diageo liquor bottles over alleged missing recycled PET markings, putting brands including Smirnoff under scrutiny. Diageo Liquor Bottles Seized In India: 18,000 Boxes Of Whisky, Vodka Under Scanner Indian food safety inspectors have seized around 18,000 boxes of liquor bottles made by Diageo, the world’s largest spirits group, over alleged concerns that the bottles did not carry markings showing they were made using safe recycled plastic, government sources said. The latest regulatory action comes shortly after India’s food safety regulator ordered a crackdown on several popular whisky and rum brands, including Old Monk, Royal Challenge, Antiquity Blue, Bagpiper and McDowell’s No. 1 Rum. Why Were Diageo Bottles Seized? Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) officials visited United Spirits’ factory in Bengaluru last week. During the inspection, officials were told that the Diageo India unit was using recycled plastic bottles. However, inspectors found that the bottles did not carry the required markings, according to a government memo.
“This raised serious food safety, misleading and misbranding compliance concerns regarding the safety of finished alcoholic beverages for consumers," the memo said. The seizure was carried out in the interests of public health. The FSSAI did not respond to queries about the seizure of thousands of Diageo bottles. The action is being reported for the first time by Reuters. What Did Diageo Say? Diageo India confirmed the regulatory action and said some of its bottles “have been quarantined by authorities until further direction". The company said the bottles had been sourced from a recycler approved by the FSSAI and that mandatory tests had been conducted by suppliers. “Our products are completely safe for consumption," Diageo India unit United Spirits said in a statement, adding that it was engaging with the FSSAI for further direction. Smirnoff, Whisky Bottles Among Those Checked During the inspection, officials found that Diageo’s bottles carried markings showing that they were made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET). However, the bottles should have carried a government-mandated recycled PET symbol, which also indicates that the material is food-grade, according to a second government memo. Most large bottles of Diageo drinks are made from glass. The latest action focused on smaller plastic bottles, typically those used to sell 180 ml quantities.
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