NE NEWS SERVICE
CHENNAI, AUG 16
It was a brief pause rather than a prolonged pour! Tamil Nadu’s liquor shelves are set for a quick return to normalcy after the State Government revoked, within just three days, its temporary ban on 11 popular liquor brands sold through the state-owned TASMAC network.
- Temporary three-day ban lifted after manufacturer assures full compliance with FSSAI norms
- Ten brandy varieties and one rum brand cleared for transfer and sale across Tamil Nadu
- Prohibition and Excise Department revokes August 11 order with immediate effect
The Prohibition and Excise Department has communicated to TASMAC Managing Director authorising the corporation’s depots and retail outlets to resume the transfer and sale of all 11 varieties, comprising 10 brands of brandy and one variety of rum.
The temporary ban was imposed on August 11 following an inspection by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) at the manufacturing facility of Enrica Enterprises Private Limited at Poonamalle in Tiruvallur district.
According to the communication sent by the Prohibition and Excise Department to the TASMAC MD, the FSSAI inspection had flagged non-compliant product labelling, incorrect product nomenclature and the presence of natural-identical and artificial flavouring substances.
These findings prompted the department to temporarily stop the sale of the 11 brands through TASMAC outlets.
However, the pause proved short-lived. Following an appeal by the manufacturer assuring full compliance with the applicable requirements, the department revoked the ban with immediate effect from August 14, officials said.
Thus, the order issued on August 11 was officially withdrawn on August 14, allowing TASMAC depots and retail outlets to resume the transfer and sale of the affected brands.
The swift revocation brings a quick end to the three-day regulatory interruption, while placing the focus on compliance with food-safety and labelling requirements for alcoholic beverages sold through Tamil Nadu’s vast retail network.
