Imported spirits stuck in Indian customs

More than a million bottles of Scotch whisky and other alcoholic drinks are piling up in India as importers and government officials argue over labelling laws.

Millions of bottles of Scotch whisky and other alcoholic beverages are being held by Indian customs over labelling concerns

At the end of last year, India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority began impounding hundreds of containers of food and alcohol which did not comply with labelling regulations.

According to The Wall Street Journal, while the food has either rotted or been sent back to its original export country, more than 50 containers of alcoholic beverages remain in two large warehouses in Delhi and Mumbai.

By law, products imported into India must have their ingredients listed on their labels, those which do not cannot be sold in the country.

This law has been viewed as largely unenforced with regards to alcoholic beverages since its passage in 2011.

But since the law was enforced at the end of 2013, The Wall Street Journal reports that importers have had to cancel orders over fears their products will be stranded in customs.

The publications added that some small importers are concerned they may be run out of business, claiming that the labelling regulations are not necessary.