Tasmac stops sale of 11 liquor varieties after FSSAI finds added flavours

CHENNAI: Eleven varieties of liquor, including those of popular brands, manufactured by Enrica Enterprises, were taken off the shelves based on Tasmac order after the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) found the products contained natural-identical and artificial flavouring substances during an inspection.

The 11 products are VSOP Exshaw Gold Brandy, Louis Vernant XO Blended Premium Brandy, McDowells VSOP Brandy, No.1 McDowells Fine Brandy, Mensclub Deluxe Brandy, Honey Bee Fine Brandy, Enrica VSOP Select Brandy, Enrica Platinum Reserve XO Brandy, Enrica Premium French Brandy, Veeran Special Brandy and Enrica Old Indie Classic Dark Rum.

Some of these are in the ordinary segment, which accounts for the bulk of Tasmac's liquor sales. Sources said Enrica Enterprises supplies more than 20 liquor varieties and brands to the State-run liquor retailer.

According to officials, FSSAI conducted an inspection at Enrica Enterprises' licensed premises in Poonamallee on August 11. Following the inspection, the central designated officer of the FSSAI's Southern Regional Office ordered that sales of these products be stopped with immediate effect.

Acting on directions from the Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise, Tasmac managing director K Nanthakumar issued a circular on August 13 directing all senior regional managers, district managers, and depot managers to comply with the order.

The corporation has instructed its depots to immediately stop transferring the products to retail vending shops and also stop their sale to bars holding FL2 and FL3 licences until further orders.

The FSSAI has also directed distributors, wholesalers and retailers not to sell the identified products to consumers.

This is the latest shakeup to hit the highly lucrative and historically scandal-tainted liquor business in Tamil Nadu, which has been seeing various changes after the TVK-led government assumed power.