Proposed quality standard for whisky (malt grain
whisky, blended whisky, other whisky); Proposed quality standard for rum (rum, white
rum and flavored rum); Proposed quality standard for vodka

The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control proposes the quality
standard for the above mentioned food products. This standard serves:

a.   as a compulsory provision under food law and regulation;

b.   to monitor export/import of these food products; and

c.   to maintain safe and quality food products to the consumer.

The following definitions are provided in the standard:

-   Whisky is the alcoholic beverage made by distilling the fermented extract of malted cereal grains or other starch food products. It shall be with or without caramel colour or additives;

-   Rum is an alcoholic distillate obtained from fermented juice of sugarcane, sugarcane molasses, as well as any other sugarcane product, sugar beet or sugar beet molasses. It should not contain any colouring matter other than caramel. It can also be prepared from neutral, rectified, distilled spirit or a mixture of any combination thereof;

-   White rum is rum without caramel colour, in order to be designated as white rum;

-   Flavoured rum is an alcoholic beverage made out of rum and flavourings (spices or fruits), with or without permitted colour and with or without added sugar;

-   Vodka is the distilled alcoholic beverage made from neutral spirit which may be obtained from potato, molasses and other fermented grains. It shall be with or without permitted colour, flavor and additive.

The proposed standard sets the requirement for essential composition and quality factors, hygiene, packaging and labeling requirements as per the Codex standard.