New Delhi, Aug. 18 -- New Delhi: Diageo India will change the labels of several whisky and rum brands flagged by India's food safety regulator but retain their composition, even as the company gets 90 days to clear existing stocks in Maharashtra, company executives told Mint on Tuesday on condition of anonymity.

The arrangement is expected to apply to other liquor makers as well, as they seek to comply with directives of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to either remove disputed flavouring agents or relabel their drinks, three people aware of the matter said. The relaxation would be conditional to allow companies to transition, rather than a backtrack by the regulator, they said.

The move means brands such as Roy...