The Hyderabad Excise Department has seized an ice cream parlour in the posh Jubilee Hills area for selling whiskey ice cream. It has also arrested two persons involved in its operation. It was found that 100 ml of whiskey was mixed in just 60 grams of the ice cream and sold at a premium price. The whiskey-iced cream weighing about 11.50 kg was seized.
Whiskey-iced cream is an unusual mixing of alcohol and dessert. This is because whiskey is mixed with traditional ice cream causing harm to consumers. In India, the consumption of alcohol is legal, although there are strict controls over the sale and distribution of it. This harmful ice cream is thus novel, although some concerns are raised because such products may not carry appropriate labels as alcoholic. The parlour owners, Dayakar Reddy and Sobhan, were booked for violating the excise laws and selling these ice creams without permission.
Is Whiskey ice cream legal in India?
Whiskey is consumed quite openly in India, but its sale is controlled by the excise departments of various states. The introduction of whiskey into food items like ice cream, without due permission, is injurious to health as it overrides safety aspects. This ice cream contains a potential risk because minors or any consumer are unaware of the real nature. Consumption of this hazardous and alcoholic dessert will fall into intoxication due to the content of alcohol. Another aspect of the risk factor is that on account of sugar content mixing with alcohol. It might accelerate the absorption rate of alcohol into the bloodstream.
The U.S. and parts of Europe have, too, toyed with whiskey icecream. It is a niche where desserts with alcohol infusions are sold, with clear labelling. However, the regulations in those markets are well-enforced for transparency and to prevent underage consumption. The incident raises the level of stringent oversight on such products in India if public health is any concern.
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