Mumbai: The defence ministry's canteen stores department (CSD), the biggest client of food and beverage company Mohan Meakin, has suspended orders for three Old Monk rum variants following action by the food safety regulator in Maharashtra, according to a letter issued by the department.

CSD sells goods, including liquor, to armed forces personnel and their families. The directive could disrupt supplies of Old Monk through CSD's nationwide network, deepening the impact of sales restrictions imposed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on the three rum variants in Maharashtra. Sales of these variants are also impacted in parts of neighbouring Madhya Pradesh.

It is unclear whether FSSAI has imposed similar sales restrictions on these variants in other states.In an August 11 letter to area managers and CSD depots, the department ordered the suspension of orders for Old Monk Gold Reserve Rum, Old Monk The Legend Rum and Old Monk XXX Matured Rum.

Three other products-McDowell's No 1 Celebration Matured XXX Rum, Antiquity Blue Whisky and Royal Challenge Whisky-were included in directive. ET has reviewed letter. It said FSSAI has "initiated enforcement action against certain alcoholic products on grounds of product nomenclature, deceptive claims on blending and flavour addition".