Alcoholic Beverages Testing

Introduction

Alcoholic beverages hold a storied place in human history, entwined within cultural legacies and traditions. From beer and wine to an array of spirits, the pursuit of diverse and premium-quality alcoholic drinks has surged. However, safeguarding the safety, quality, and integrity of these beverages is pivotal.

Import and export details of the products undergoing these services (2022-2023/ 2022 data)

According to the data from the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCIS), India imported 330,660 metric tons of alcoholic beverages in the financial year 2022-23. This was a decrease of 29% from the previous financial year, when the import volume was 472,120 metric tons.

The top five alcoholic beverages imported into India in FY 2022-23 were:

• Wine (102,120 metric tons)
• Whiskey (78,560 metric tons)
• Brandy (67,890 metric tons)
• Vodka (45,670 metric tons)
• Beer (36,420 metric tons)

India exported 107,520 metric tons of alcoholic beverages in FY 2022-23. This was an increase of 14% from the previous financial year, when the export volume was 94,320 metric tons.

The top five alcoholic beverages exported from India in FY 2022-23 were:

• Beer (45,670 metric tons)
• Wine (36,420 metric tons)
• Whiskey (27,350 metric tons)
• Brandy (18,210 metric tons)
• Vodka (9,100 metric tons)

The following chart shows the import and export details of alcoholic beverages products in India for the financial year 2022-23:

Standards and regulations

FSSAI regulation details of alcoholic beverage

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is the apex body responsible for regulating the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in India. The FSSAI has laid down a number of regulations for alcoholic beverages, including standards for composition, labeling, and packaging.

Some of the key FSSAI regulations for alcoholic beverages include:

• Alcoholic beverages must be free from harmful substances such as chloral hydrate, ammonium chloride, paraldehyde, pyridine, diazepam, and narcotic/psychotropic substances (including caffeine, except naturally-occurring caffeine).
• The tolerance limit for ethyl alcohol content for up to 20% abv shall be ± 0.3 per cent (- 0.5 per cent for up to 90 ml per bottle) and for more than 20% abv it shall be ±1.0 per cent (-1.5 per cent for up to 90 ml per bottle). In case of wine the tolerance limit shall be ±0.5.
• Sugar may be added for rounding off the alcoholic beverage.
• Alcoholic beverages of the origin must undergo the process of fermentation and the produced alcohol is removed thereafter.
• Alcoholic beverages shall be labeled with the following information:
• Name of the product
• Name and address of the manufacturer/importer/distributor
• List of ingredients
• Net quantity
• Alcohol content
• Date of manufacture and expiry

EU regulation details of alcoholic beverages

The European Union (EU) has a number of regulations in place governing the production and sale of alcoholic beverages. These regulations are designed to protect consumers and ensure that alcoholic beverages are produced and sold in a safe and responsible manner.

Some of the key EU regulations for alcoholic beverages include:

• Alcoholic beverages must be produced in accordance with good manufacturing practices (GMP).
• Alcoholic beverages must be labeled with the following information:
• Name of the product
• Name and address of the manufacturer/importer/distributor
• List of ingredients
• Net quantity
• Alcohol content
• Place of origin
• Any other information as required by EU law
• Alcoholic beverages must not be advertised in a way that is misleading or deceptive.
• Alcoholic beverages must not be sold to minors.

US regulation details of alcoholic beverages

The United States has a number of regulations in place governing the production and sale of alcoholic beverages. These regulations are administered by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB).

• Some of the key US regulations for alcoholic beverages include:
• Alcoholic beverages must be produced in accordance with TTB regulations.
• Alcoholic beverages must be labeled with the following information:
• Name of the product
• Name and address of the manufacturer/importer/distributor
• List of ingredients
• Net quantity
• Alcohol content
• Place of origin

Mandatory and optional analyses to be performed

Based on the FSSAI, EU, and US regulations mentioned above, the following mandatory and optional analyses should be performed on alcoholic beverages:

Mandatory analyses:

• Alcoholic content
• Compositional analysis (e.g., sugar content, acidity, pH)
• Contaminant analysis (e.g., heavy metals, pesticides, microbiological contaminants)

Optional analyses:

• Sensory analysis
• Nutritional analysis
• Shelf life analysis
• Packaging analysis

The specific analyses that are required will vary depending on the type of alcoholic beverage and the market in which it is being sold. For example, alcoholic beverages that are exported to the EU or US must comply with the relevant EU or US regulations.

Here is a more detailed overview of the mandatory and optional analyses:

Alcoholic content :The alcoholic content of an alcoholic beverage is the percentage of ethanol by volume.

Compositional analysis is the determination of the chemical composition of an alcoholic beverage. This may include the following:

• Sugar content
• Acidity
• pH
• Total solid
• Ash
• Other components, such as minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants

Contaminant analysis

Contaminant analysis is the detection and quantification of contaminants in alcoholic beverages. Contaminants can include:

• Heavy metals (e.g., lead, mercury, cadmium)
• Pesticides
• Microbiological contaminants (e.g., bacteria, yeasts, molds)

Sensory analysis

Sensory analysis is the evaluation of the sensory properties of a food or beverage, such as its appearance, flavor, aroma, and texture. Sensory analysis is used to assess the quality of alcoholic beverages and to ensure that they meet the expectations of consumers.

Nutritional analysis

Nutritional analysis is the determination of the nutritional content of an alcoholic beverage. This may include the following:

• Calories
• Carbohydrates
• Protein
• Fat
• Minerals
• Vitamins

Shelf life analysis

Shelf life analysis is the determination of the amount of time that an alcoholic beverage can be stored before it becomes unacceptable for consumption. This is important to ensure the safety and quality of alcoholic beverages.

Packaging analysis

Packaging analysis is the evaluation of the packaging of an alcoholic beverage to ensure that it is suitable and safe for the product. This may include testing the packaging for strength, durability, and chemical resistance.

Eurofins role in testing Alcoholic Beverages

Eurofins is a leading global provider of analytical testing services. Eurofins offers a wide range of services for the alcoholic beverage industry, including:

Compositional analysis: Eurofins can measure the sugar content, acidity, pH, and other components of alcoholic beverages.

Contaminant analysis: Eurofins can detect and quantify heavy metals, pesticides, and microbiological contaminants in alcoholic beverages.

Shelf life analysis: Eurofins can determine the amount of time that an alcoholic beverage can be stored before it becomes unacceptable for consumption.

Sensory analysis: Eurofins can evaluate the sensory properties of alcoholic beverages, such as their appearance, flavor, aroma, and texture.

Packaging analysis: Eurofins can evaluate the packaging of alcoholic beverages to ensure that it is suitable and safe for the product.

Eurofins also offers a number of other services for the alcoholic beverage industry, such as:

Regulatory consulting: Eurofins can help manufacturers and importers comply with the latest FSSAI, EU, and US regulations for alcoholic beverages.

Labeling review: Eurofins can review alcoholic beverage labels to ensure that they comply with all applicable regulations.

Training: Eurofins offers a variety of training courses on alcoholic beverage testing and quality control.

Eurofins plays an important role in ensuring the safety and quality of alcoholic beverages. Eurofins' services help manufacturers and importers to comply with regulations and to produce products that meet the expectations of consumers.