TASMAC Revokes Temporary Ban on 11 Liquor Brands Across Tamil Nadu

The temporary ban on the sale and transfer of 11 popular liquor brands sold by the state-owned TASMAC across Tamil Nadu has been revoked within three days of its issuance, following an official communication from the Prohibition and Excise Department.

The Prohibition and Excise Department communicated the decision directly to the Managing Director of TASMAC, formally authorising depots and retail outlets across the state to resume the transfer and sale of the affected varieties with immediate effect from August 14.

The initial temporary ban, which halted the sale of ten varieties of brandy and one variety of rum, was enforced on August 11. The restriction followed a Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) inspection conducted at the manufacturing facility of Enrica Enterprises Private Limited, located in Poonamalle in the neighbouring Tiruvallur district.

According to the department's communication, the FSSAI inspection report highlighted multiple regulatory issues at the Poonamalle facility. These included non-compliant product labelling, incorrect product nomenclature, and the presence of natural-identical and artificial flavouring substances in the beverages, prompting the immediate suspension order on August 11.

The ten brandy varieties covered under the temporary restriction included Honey Bee Fine Brandy, McDowells VSOP Brandy, No1 McDowells Fine Brandy, Louis Vernant XO Blended Premium Brandy, Enrica VSOP Select Brandy, Enrica Platinum Reserve XO Brandy, Enrica Premium French Brandy, Veeran Special Brandy, VSOP Exshaw Gold Brandy, and Mensclub Deluxe Brandy. The single rum brand affected by the order was Enrica Old Indie Classic Dark Rum.

Officials confirmed that the order was officially revoked on August 14 following an appeal submitted by the manufacturer, Enrica Enterprises Private Limited. In its appeal, the company assured authorities of full compliance with the required standards, leading the Prohibition and Excise Department to lift the restrictions and allow TASMAC outlets to resume distribution and sales immediately.