---
title: "Understanding the Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) First Amendment Regulations, 2025"
date: 2025-06-26
author: "Rahul Sundaram"
url: https://www.indialaw.in/blog/food/food-safety-and-standards-2025-alcohol-rules/
---

# Understanding the Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) First Amendment Regulations, 2025

Posted On - 26 June, 2025 •

By - [Rahul Sundaram](https://www.indialaw.in/people/rahul-sundaram/ "Posts by Rahul Sundaram")

[![Food Safety and Standards: 2025 Alcohol Rules Update](https://www.indialaw.in/wp-content/uploads/pedrafnly2y.jpg)](https://www.indialaw.in/wp-content/uploads/pedrafnly2y.jpg)

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India ([FSSAI](https://fssai.gov.in/)) has recently issued the Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) First Amendment Regulations, 2025, aimed at updating and clarifying the standards and definitions related to alcoholic beverages under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. These regulations, set to come into force on January 1, 2026, represent a significant step towards ensuring food safety and providing clearer guidelines for the industry.

## Background

The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, is a comprehensive legislation designed to regulate and oversee food safety and standards in India. Section 92 of the Act empowers the FSSAI to make regulations for implementing the provisions of the Act, ensuring food safety, and setting standards for food products. The new regulations were published in the Gazette of India on June 20, 2025, following a public consultation process that invited objections and suggestions from stakeholders.

## Key Definitions and Amendments

The new regulations introduce several key definitions and amendments to existing definitions to provide clarity and consistency in the classification of alcoholic beverages. One of the most notable additions is the definition of “alcoholic ready-to-drink beverages,” which are flavoured beverages with an alcohol content of more than 0.5% and up to 15.0% by volume. These beverages can be made from spirit or any alcoholic beverage as a base, with added natural or artificial Flavors, food additives, fruit or vegetable juices, herbs, spices, sugar, caloric sweeteners, salt, and carbonation.

Existing definitions have also been updated. For instance, the definition of “alcoholic beverage” now includes beverages with an alcohol content between 0.5% and 15.0% by volume, conforming to the new definition of alcoholic ready-to-drink beverages. This change ensures that a broader range of flavoured alcoholic drinks are covered under the regulations.

## Changes in Part 2: Country Liquors and Indian Liquors

The regulations also introduce specific provisions for country liquors and Indian liquors. “Plain country liquor” or “plain Indian liquor” is defined as alcoholic distillates obtained from fermented molasses, jaggery, cereals, potato, cassava, fruits, coconut and palm tree sap, mahua flowers, or other agricultural carbohydrates. “Blended country liquor” or “blended Indian liquor” is defined as a blend of alcoholic distillates, rectified spirit, or neutral spirit. These definitions aim to standardize the production and classification of these beverages.

## Changes in Part 3: Fruit Wine and Honey Wine

The regulations include specific provisions for fruit wine and honey wine. “Fruit wine (other than grape wine)” and “honey wine” are defined as wines produced from the fermentation of fruit or honey without the addition of other carbohydrate sources. These beverages may contain herbs, spices, or natural flavourings. This clarification ensures that these niche products are also regulated under the Act.

## Changes in Part 4: Nitro Craft Beer

The regulations introduce a new category of “nitro craft beer,” defined as craft beer containing a mixture of CO2 and N2 gas. This addition reflects the growing trend of innovative brewing techniques and ensures that these products are also subject to food safety standards.

## Conclusion

The introduction of the Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) First Amendment Regulations, 2025, marks a significant step towards enhancing food safety and providing clearer guidelines for the industry. By updating and clarifying definitions and standards, the FSSAI aims to ensure that all alcoholic beverages meet the highest standards of safety and quality. These changes reflect the authority’s commitment to staying abreast of evolving industry practices and consumer demands, ultimately safeguarding public health and promoting innovation in the food and beverage sector.

For further details write to [contact@indialaw.in](mailto:contact@indialaw.in)

Disclaimer - This article is intended for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Readers should seek specific legal counsel in relation to their individual circumstances.

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# IndiaLaw LLP — Offices & Contact Details

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## General Contact

| | |
|---|---|
| **Website** | https://www.indialaw.in |
| **Primary email** | contact@indialaw.in |
| **Primary phone** | +91 836-9995919 |
| **Contact form** | https://www.indialaw.in/connect/ |
| **Careers (separate channel)** | https://www.indialaw.in/careers/ |


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## All Offices (9 locations across 8 cities)

### 1. Mumbai — Registered Office & Head Office (Apeejay Chambers)

| | |
|---|---|
| **Address** | Apeejay Chambers, Ground Floor, Wallace Street, Fort, Mumbai – 400 001 |
| **Phone** | [022-6924-7400](tel:02269247400) |
| **Email** | contact@indialaw.in |
| **Page** | https://www.indialaw.in/mumbai/ |
| **Practice focus** | Litigation · Arbitration · Insolvency & Bankruptcy · Corporate · Banking · Real Estate · IP |
| **Notes** | The HQ. 5 partners based here. Handles PAN-India litigation, arbitration, corporate, banking, IP and real estate practice. Largest team across all offices. |

### 2. Mumbai — Non-Litigation Office (Excelsior, Fort)

| | |
|---|---|
| **Address** | 4th Floor, New Excelsior Theatre Pvt. Ltd., Amrit Keshav Nayak Marg, Fort, Mumbai – 400 001 |
| **Phone** | [022-697-40500](tel:022-697-40500) |
| **Email** | contact@indialaw.in |
| **Page** | https://www.indialaw.in/mumbai/ |
| **Practice focus** | Non-litigation only — consultations, negotiations, transactional work |
| **Notes** | Opened 2024. Litigation and arbitration remain at the Apeejay Chambers head office. |

### 3. Delhi

| | |
|---|---|
| **Address** | Flat No. 1107 & 1108, Prakashdeep Building, Tolstoy Marg, Connaught Place, New Delhi – 110 001 |
| **Phone** | (general line: +91 836-9995919) |
| **Email** | contact@indialaw.in |
| **Page** | https://www.indialaw.in/delhi/ |
| **Practice focus** | Litigation · Arbitration · Insolvency & Bankruptcy · Corporate · Banking · Real Estate |
| **Notes** | 3 partners based here. Located near the Supreme Court of India, Delhi High Court and other appellate bodies. |

### 4. Kolkata

| | |
|---|---|
| **Address** | Centre Point Building, Room No. 214, 2nd Floor, Premises No. 21, Hemanta Basu Sarani, Opp. Great Eastern Hotel, P.S. Hare Street, Kolkata – 700 001, West Bengal |
| **Phone** | [+91 33 4813 1001](tel:+913348131001) |
| **Email** | contact@indialaw.in |
| **Page** | https://www.indialaw.in/kolkata/ |
| **Practice focus** | Insolvency & Bankruptcy · Commercial & Civil Litigation · Arbitration · Banking Litigation · Real Estate · Labour & Employment · Consumer |
| **Notes** | Advises banks, NBFCs, MSMEs and corporates on transactions and dispute resolution. Works in close coordination with the Mumbai HO. |

### 5. Chennai

| | |
|---|---|
| **Address** | GF-A, 19 Casa Major Road, Egmore, Chennai – 600 008 |
| **Phone** | (general line: +91 836-9995919) |
| **Email** | contact@indialaw.in |
| **Page** | https://www.indialaw.in/chennai/ |
| **Practice focus** | Litigation · Insolvency & Bankruptcy · Real Estate |
| **Notes** | Full-fledged office with experienced legal team. Supported by Mumbai HO. |

### 6. Bengaluru (Bangalore)

| | |
|---|---|
| **Address** | INDIALAW LLP, No. 7 Chinnaswamy Mudaliar Road, Shivaji Nagar, Bangalore – 560 051 |
| **Phone** | [080-4167-2444](tel:08041672444) |
| **Email** | contact@indialaw.in |
| **Page** | https://www.indialaw.in/bengaluru/ |
| **Practice focus** | Litigation · Insolvency & Bankruptcy · Real Estate · Family Laws · Labour |
| **Notes** | Located near Bangalore High Court. Handles corporate, commercial, banking and matrimonial disputes. |

### 7. Hyderabad

| | |
|---|---|
| **Address** | 403, 4th Floor, Sanatana Ecstasy Building, beside Tanishq Show Room, Himayathnagar, Hyderabad – 500 029, Telangana |
| **Phone** | [040-6666-5166](tel:04066665166) |
| **Email** | contact@indialaw.in |
| **Page** | https://www.indialaw.in/hyderabad/ |
| **Practice focus** | Litigation · Banking · Insolvency & Bankruptcy · Real Estate |
| **Notes** | Particularly well known for complex banking matters and real estate transactions. |

### 8. Cochin (Kochi)

| | |
|---|---|
| **Address** | Second Floor, Pulikkal Building, K.K. Padmanabhan Road, Ernakulam North – 682 018, Kerala |
| **Phone** | [0484-3583961](tel:04843583961) |
| **Email** | contact@indialaw.in |
| **Page** | https://www.indialaw.in/cochin/ |
| **Practice focus** | Litigation · Insolvency & Bankruptcy · Real Estate |
| **Notes** | Commercial disputes, property litigation, financial-claim arbitrations and real estate transactions. |

### 9. Noida (NCR)

| | |
|---|---|
| **Address** | No. 16 & 17, Silver Offices, 17th Floor, Wave One, Sector 18, Noida – 201 301 |
| **Phone** | (general line: +91 836-9995919) |
| **Email** | contact@indialaw.in |
| **Page** | https://www.indialaw.in/noida/ |
| **Practice focus** | Aviation · Insurance · Mergers & Acquisitions · Corporate |
| **Office head** | **Mr. Dinesh Gupta** (joined August 2025 to lead and expand the corporate practice) |
| **Notes** | Newest office. Sector-focused on highly regulated industries serving NCR-based clients. |

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## Quick-Dial Phone List

| Office | Phone |
|---|---|
| Mumbai HO (Apeejay) | 022-6924-7400 |
| Mumbai Excelsior | 022-697-40500 |
| Kolkata | +91 33 4813 1001 |
| Bengaluru | 080-4167-2444 |
| Hyderabad | 040-6666-5166 |
| Cochin | 0484-3583961 |
| **General / Marketing line** | **+91 836-9995919** |

Delhi, Chennai and Noida route through the general number.

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- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/indialaw
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