New Delhi, Sept. 3 -- The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) told the Bombay High Court on Thursday that Old Monk cannot be sold as rum as the product is made using neutral spirit and rum flavouring.

FSSAI's counsel told the court that the regulator's main objection was not about the labelling but about the nature of the product itself. "What is not permitted is to sell this product as rum," the counsel said, adding that the product could instead be described as a "rum-flavoured spirit".

Old Monk submitted revised labels to the court, and FSSAI requested additional time to review and consider them for approval. The matter will be heard next on 11 September.

During a prior hearing on Monday, the company informed the co...