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Policy gives them leg room to sell expired products
Taking undue advantage of loopholes in the Haryana Excise and Taxation Act, alcoholic beverage companies are selling their products even after expiration dates.
Taking undue advantage of loopholes in the Haryana Excise and Taxation Act, alcoholic beverage companies are selling their products even after expiration dates.
The Act allows beer and wine manufacturers to indicate expiry date as ‘Best before six months of manufacturing’ instead of announcing the exact date of expiry.
Many states, including Delhi, insist on the manufacturers to mention the exact expiration dates on their products.
Manufacturers and suppliers continue to sell beverages even beyond the expiry period of six months contending that the warning was only suggestive and not mandatory.
“Some states even allow printing expiry date as ‘Best before 12 months of manufacturing’,” said a senior executive of a beer firm.
According to an official of the excise department, this practice can be changed once the Haryana government formulates its new excise policy.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson of Calsberg said, “Quality is core to us and our consumers are at the heart of everything we do. We’re extremely conscious of the quality of each beer bottle that is rolled out into the market and our stock is fresh at the point of billing. We recommend that all products must be consumed within six months of its manufacturing to maintain the best freshness and taste. We have been consistently working with our distribution partners to ensure that Carlsberg is best enjoyed in the said timeframe. Whenever any concern is raised, we take necessary action.”
