Indian authorities have seized around 18,000 boxes of liquor bottles from the Bengaluru facility of United Spirits, the Indian subsidiary of Diageo, after inspectors allegedly found that bottles made using recycled plastic did not carry mandatory markings required for food and beverage applications.

The regulatory action was taken during an inspection by officials of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) last week, according to government documents cited in a Reuters report.

Diageo India confirmed that some of its bottles had been quarantined by authorities pending further directions. The company, however, said the products were safe for consumption and that the recycled plastic had been sourced from an FSSAI-approved recycler.

FSSAI Flags Missing Markings

According to a government memo, inspectors were informed during their visit to United Spirits' Bengaluru facility that the company was using recycled plastic for certain liquor bottles.

Officials subsequently found that the bottles did not carry markings required under applicable regulations.

A second government document reportedly noted that the bottles were marked as being made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) but lacked the prescribed symbol identifying recycled PET and indicating its suitability for food-grade use.

The authorities raised concerns related to food safety, labelling, misleading information and misbranding.

The seizure was described in the government documents as a measure taken in the interest of public health.

Diageo Says Products Are Safe

United Spirits confirmed the regulatory action but disputed any suggestion that the products posed a safety risk.

The company said some bottles had been quarantined by authorities while the matter was being reviewed.

Diageo India said the bottles were sourced from a recycler approved by the FSSAI and that the necessary tests had been conducted by suppliers.

The company said it was engaging with the food safety regulator for further direction.

The regulatory action therefore concerns the alleged absence of mandatory markings, while the company maintains that the underlying packaging material met applicable safety requirements.

Multiple Brands Involved

The action reportedly covers bottles used across several Diageo brands.

Government documents cited in the report identified products including DSP Black Deluxe Whisky, Smirnoff Zesty Lime Triple Distilled Flavoured Vodka and VAT 69 blended Scotch whisky.

The inspection involved more than half a dozen brands, according to the documents.

The bottles affected are primarily smaller retail formats, including bottles of approximately 180 millilitres.

Most of Diageo's larger liquor bottles are manufactured using glass rather than plastic.

Products Worth $1.6 Million Seized

Government documents reportedly showed that liquor products and plastic packaging material worth approximately $1.6 million were seized during the inspection.

The total seizure was estimated at around 18,000 boxes.

The action adds to compliance-related challenges facing Diageo's Indian business as regulators continue to scrutinise packaging, labelling and food safety requirements for products sold in the country.

What the Marking Means

Recycled PET, commonly known as rPET, is increasingly used in packaging as companies seek to reduce the use of virgin plastic.

Because packaging used for food and beverages can come into direct contact with products consumed by people, regulators impose specific requirements concerning the source, processing and suitability of recycled material.

Mandatory markings help identify the type of plastic and communicate whether the material meets prescribed requirements for food-grade applications.

In this case, authorities reportedly found that the bottles carried PET identification but lacked the required recycled-PET symbol.

Regulatory Review Underway

The seizure does not by itself establish that the liquor products were unsafe for consumption. The regulatory action is linked to the alleged packaging and labelling violations, while the company has maintained that the products are safe.

United Spirits said it was cooperating with the authorities and awaiting further directions.

The FSSAI's final position could determine what happens to the seized products and whether additional compliance measures or regulatory action are required.

The incident also highlights the importance of clear packaging disclosures as Indian regulators increasingly monitor the use of recycled materials in products intended for direct consumer use.