Tasmac Halts Sale of 11 Liquor Varieties Following FSSAI Inspection in Poonamallee

The Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac) has ordered an immediate halt to the sale of 11 liquor varieties manufactured by Enrica Enterprises Pvt Ltd, following a food safety inspection at the manufacturer's licensed premises in Poonamallee.

The regulatory action was initiated after the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) southern regional office conducted an inspection at the Poonamallee facility in Tiruvallur district on Tuesday. The inspection revealed that the products had been manufactured with added nature-identical and artificial flavouring substances. Following the findings, the FSSAI directed an immediate stop to the sale of the identified products, instructing that distributors, wholesalers, and retailers must not sell them to consumers.

The prohibition and excise commissioner forwarded the FSSAI directives to Tasmac on Wednesday. Subsequently, Tasmac managing director K Nanthakumar issued a circular on Thursday instructing regional managers, district managers, and depot managers to halt the transfer and sale of the specified brands across retail vending shops, as well as to FL2 and FL3 licence holders, until further orders.

The 11 affected brands covered under the order include VSOP Exshaw Gold Brandy, Louis Vernant XO Blended Premium Brandy, McDowells VSOP Brandy, No1 McDowells Fine Brandy, Mensclub Deluxe Brandy, Honey Bee Fine Brandy, Enrica VSOP Select Brandy, Enrica Platinum Reserve XO Brandy, Enrica Premium French Brandy, Veeran Special Brandy, and Enrica Old Indie Classic Dark Rum.

Enrica Enterprises Pvt Ltd supplies more than 20 liquor varieties and brands to Tasmac. Several of the varieties now facing the sales suspension fall under the ordinary range of liquor, which accounts for the highest sales volume for Tasmac compared to medium and premium liquor categories.