Tamil Nadu orders quality checks at distilleries after ban on 11 liquor variants

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government issued an immediate directive for quality verification at every licensed distillery in the state after a public row erupted over the ban on eleven specific liquor variants. The order, issued by the Excise Department, mandates that manufacturers submit samples for laboratory testing to ensure compliance with safety standards.
The ban, announced earlier this month, targeted variants that were alleged to contain sub‑standard ingredients and posed health risks to consumers. Consumer groups and opposition parties raised concerns about the lack of transparent testing before the prohibition, prompting the government to act swiftly.
Under the new directive, the state’s Central Food Laboratory will conduct the tests, and distilleries are required to cooperate within a ten‑day window. Any batch that fails to meet prescribed norms will be seized, and the producers may face penalties as per the Excise Act.
Industry representatives have expressed apprehension about the short notice but affirmed their willingness to comply, noting that the move could restore public confidence in locally produced spirits.
The enforcement is expected to begin this week, with periodic audits planned to monitor ongoing compliance and prevent future quality lapses.