The Supreme Court of India has asked the central government and state authorities to define what constitutes a "liquor bottle" [1].
This legal clarification is critical because the current lack of a uniform definition allows manufacturers to use deceptive packaging. Such packaging can mislead consumers by making cheap alcohol appear like fruit juice, which poses significant risks to public health [2].
Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, heard the petition on May 20, 2024 [1, 3]. The three-justice bench is responding to a plea filed by the organization Community Against Drunken Driving [1, 4].
The court is specifically considering a ban on the sale of alcohol packaged in sachets and tetra-packs [1]. These formats are often used for low-cost spirits that do not follow traditional bottling standards, creating a loophole in regulatory enforcement [2].
The petition argues that the absence of a strict definition for a bottle enables the distribution of alcohol in non-traditional containers that evade oversight [2]. The court has now sought responses from the central government, various state authorities, and union territories to determine if a nationwide ban or a standardized definition is necessary [1].
By seeking this response, the court aims to close gaps in the law that allow deceptive marketing to persist in the alcohol industry [2].
“The court is considering a ban on alcohol in tetra-packs and sachets.”
This move by the Supreme Court suggests a shift toward tighter regulation of the alcohol industry's packaging standards. By targeting tetra-packs and sachets, the court is addressing the 'sachetization' of alcohol, where smaller, cheaper units make spirits more accessible and easier to disguise, potentially increasing consumption among vulnerable populations and complicating public health efforts.
