Old Monk Banned? What the FSSAI Order Actually Says

If “Old Monk banned” is what brought you here, the short answer is no, Old Monk has not been banned as a brand across India. However, FSSAI has prohibited the sale of specific Old Monk variants over concerns about flavouring and product labelling. The action has now become a legal dispute, with Mohan Meakin challenging the order in the Bombay High Court. The court has so far declined to grant interim relief, while the case continues.

Is Old Monk Really Banned in India?

No. The current action does not amount to a nationwide ban on every Old Monk product. Instead, FSSAI’s orders target specific products and manufacturing facilities. Three Old Monk variants identified in the regulatory action are Old Monk The Legend, Old Monk Gold Reserve and Old Monk XXX Matured Rum, manufactured by Mohan Rocky Springwater in Maharashtra. The wider action also covers products from companies including United Spirits and Inbrew Beverages.

Therefore, the headline “Old Monk is banned in India” needs some context. The reported prohibition applies to specified products and does not establish that every Old Monk bottle made at every facility is banned. Reuters also noted that it was initially unclear whether the restrictions extended to the same brands made at other factories.

Why Did FSSAI Take Action Against Old Monk?

The controversy centres on flavouring and labelling, rather than a finding that Old Monk is contaminated. FSSAI has objected to the use of artificial or nature-identical flavouring substances in certain rum and whisky products. According to the regulator, adding rum flavour to rum or whisky flavour to whisky does not follow recognised production practices for creating the character of those spirits.

In addition, FSSAI has questioned claims made on product labels. Its position on the Old Monk XXX variant includes a finding that the “7 years old blended” claim was misleading. That makes the dispute broader than the use of flavouring alone. It also involves whether consumers receive an accurate description of the product they are buying.

Which Old Monk Bottles Are Affected?

The three Old Monk products named in the reported FSSAI action are Old Monk The Legend, Old Monk Gold Reserve and Old Monk XXX Matured Rum. These products are associated with Mohan Rocky Springwater’s facility in Maharashtra. The same regulatory crackdown also affects several other Indian-Made Foreign Liquor products, including McDowell’s No. 1, Antiquity Blue, Royal Challenge and Bagpiper Deluxe.

So, consumers should not assume that every Old Monk product has been prohibited simply because three variants are part of the action. The specific product and manufacturing details matter.

What Happened in the Bombay High Court?

Mohan Meakin and United Spirits challenged the FSSAI orders in the Bombay High Court. During the August 10 hearing, the court questioned whether the dispute was primarily about labelling rather than the quality or safety of the products. The manufacturers argued that their products had been sold for years without complaints and also raised concerns about the process followed before the prohibition orders were issued.

The court did not grant immediate interim relief. Instead, it gave FSSAI time to place its response on record. This is important because the court has not delivered a final ruling on the legality of the FSSAI action. The manufacturers’ challenge therefore remains active.

Is Old Monk Unsafe to Drink?

The current dispute should not be described as a blanket finding that Old Monk is unsafe. FSSAI’s action concerns the composition, use of flavouring and accuracy of product labelling. During the Bombay High Court hearing, the issue was also described as appearing to concern labelling rather than product quality or safety.

That distinction matters. Saying that FSSAI has prohibited specific products is not the same as saying that the regulator has declared the entire Old Monk brand dangerous.

Can Existing Old Monk Stock Still Be Sold?

FSSAI’s action allows for the clearance of existing affected stock after appropriate relabelling, according to reports on the regulatory orders. However, manufacturers have argued that changing liquor labels is not an immediate process because revised labels require the relevant state Excise Department approvals. As a result, consumers could see temporary availability issues for the affected variants while the regulatory and legal process continues.

Meanwhile, fresh manufacture and sale under the disputed labelling remain at the centre of the prohibition orders and the court challenge.

Will Old Monk Prices Increase?

There is currently no confirmed nationwide Old Monk price increase linked to the FSSAI dispute. Alcohol prices already vary between Indian states because of different excise duties and local regulations.

However, supply problems could affect the availability of specific variants. If production or relabelling takes longer, some retailers could face shortages. Still, it would be premature to claim that the FSSAI action will automatically make every Old Monk bottle more expensive.

What Happens Next?

The Bombay High Court case remains ongoing, so the final outcome is still uncertain. Mohan Meakin continues to challenge the FSSAI action, while the regulator is expected to respond to the company’s petition. The manufacturer has also told the court that the restriction is causing losses of nearly ₹1 crore per day. That figure is a company claim made during the proceedings, not an independently audited loss estimate.

Meanwhile, the wider regulatory action is already affecting the industry. Diageo has agreed to reformulate several affected whisky and rum products and remove the disputed flavouring, showing that the FSSAI crackdown could lead to changes in how some alcoholic beverages are made and labelled.

The Bottom Line

Old Monk has not been banned as a brand across India. FSSAI has taken action against three specific Old Monk variants linked to a particular manufacturing facility, citing concerns about flavouring and labelling. The regulator has also questioned the “7 years old blended” claim on Old Monk XXX.

Mohan Meakin is challenging the action in the Bombay High Court, but the court has so far declined to grant interim relief. Therefore, the legal dispute is still open. For now, the most accurate takeaway is simple: “Old Monk banned” is an incomplete description. Specific Old Monk variants are facing regulatory restrictions, but there is no blanket nationwide ban on the Old Monk brand.

This article reflects publicly reported developments and court proceedings available as of August 18, 2026. The regulatory and legal position may change as the case progresses.