The Excise Directorate, West Bengal (“Directorate”) has, in an Order dated 13th December, 2018, for ensuring safety at the time of manufacturing liquor, issued certain directives:
- the lubricant used in and around the distillation for procurement of spirit and the manufacturing of any kind of liquor, including beer at the brewery, must have USFDA / NSF H 1 certification;
- the Brand Owners / Suppliers, desirous of supplying any kind of liquor by way of import to the West Bengal State Beverages Corporation Ltd. (“Corporation”), have to submit a certificate to the Corporation stating that the supply of liquor intended, has been produced in a plant using food-grade lubricant and demineralised water
The Directorate has informed that all the license holders of manufactories across the State of West Bengal of all kind of liquor are required to mandatorily comply with such directives with effect from 1st June, 2019.
Background:
The Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (“FSSAI”) has declared liquor as food and is covered under the Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) Regulations, 2018. Hence, to ensure safety at the time of manufacturing such liquor and to comply the regulations framed by the FSSAI, the directorate issued the above directives.
Source: Excise Directorate, West Bengal
