The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has inspected a Pernod Ricard plant in Bengaluru and collected liquor samples as part of a wider examination of the country's alcohol industry. Officials also sought documents during the two-day inspection, while sources said the company was asked to improve hygiene and correct markings related to the use of recycled plastic on bottles.
Pernod Ricard's Response
Pernod Ricard confirmed the visit by food safety inspectors and said regulatory inspections are part of the industry's compliance framework, adding that it maintains robust quality and safety standards. No adverse findings had been issued against Pernod Ricard at the time of the report, according to the sources cited.
Samples of Blenders Pride and Royal Stag Collected
FSSAI officials inspected the Bengaluru facility over two days and collected liquor samples for testing, with one source saying the samples included well-known brands Blenders Pride and Royal Stag. The regulator also sought documentation from the company during the inspection, with three sources confirming that no adverse findings had been issued against Pernod Ricard as things currently stand.
One government source said the company had been told hygiene at the plant needed improvement, and that markings indicating the use of recycled plastic on bottles should be corrected. Pernod Ricard said it was working constructively with the authorities, reiterating that regulatory inspections are an established part of the industry's compliance framework.
Part of a Wider Crackdown on the Liquor Industry
This inspection took place as FSSAI has been increasing scrutiny of India's liquor industry more broadly. The regulator had earlier banned several whisky and rum brands belonging to Diageo and some other Indian companies, over alleged improper addition of flavours. Diageo had reportedly agreed to reformulate some of its popular brands in an effort to secure reversal of these bans in certain states.
In Diageo's case, FSSAI had also raised issues concerning labelling and the alleged addition of whisky flavour. Separately, around 18,000 boxes of Diageo liquor bottles were seized during a factory visit, over alleged absence of markings indicating the use of safe recycled plastic. The inspection of Pernod Ricard, therefore, forms part of this broader regulatory focus on product standards, labelling, packaging, and manufacturing practices across the alcohol sector.
A Separate, Larger Regulatory Challenge Over Import Valuations
Beyond this food safety inspection, Pernod Ricard is also facing other significant regulatory and legal challenges in India. The company is facing a $314 million demand over alleged undervaluation of Scotch whisky imports — a dispute that highlights how critical accurate customs valuation and compliant import duty support processes are for companies operating in heavily regulated sectors like alcohol, where even minor discrepancies in declared import values can escalate into substantial financial and legal exposure.
The company is also involved in a separate antitrust case, and faces a ban in New Delhi over alleged liquor policy violations, which it denies.
The Latest Inspection Remains a Food Safety Matter
The latest FSSAI inspection, however, concerns specifically food safety and compliance issues at the Bengaluru plant. Officials collected samples, reviewed documentation, and reportedly raised concerns relating to hygiene and recycled-plastic markings. At the time of the report, FSSAI had not made details of its visit public and had not issued any adverse findings against Pernod Ricard.
FAQs
Q1. What did FSSAI inspect at the Pernod Ricard Bengaluru plant?
FSSAI officials inspected the plant over two days, collecting liquor samples including Blenders Pride and Royal Stag, reviewing documentation, and raising concerns about hygiene and recycled-plastic markings on bottles.
Q2. Has FSSAI issued any adverse findings against Pernod Ricard?
No, at the time of the report, FSSAI had not issued any adverse findings against Pernod Ricard, according to multiple sources cited.
Q3. What other regulatory challenges does Pernod Ricard face in India?
The company faces a $314 million demand over alleged undervaluation of Scotch whisky imports, an antitrust case, and a separate ban in New Delhi over alleged liquor policy violations, which it denies.