Karnataka Excise Dept seizes Rs 25 cr worth beer after lab tests shows 'sediments'

The Excise police have seized 78,678 boxes of beer, worth Rs 25 crore, after sediment content was found in the alcoholic beverage produced by United Breweries Company, in Nanjangud taluk of Mysuru district. The Excise police have registered a case in this regard.

The sediment was found in the beer of 7E and 7C batches, produced on July 15, of Kingfisher Strong and Ultra Strong beer varieties. Nanjangud excise superintendent had written to Excise DC Ravi Shankar on July 27 saying that the samples of beer varieties were being sent to lab for testing. Hence, the sales of beer supplied should be stopped from being sold till the reports are available, he had said.

The lab gave a report on August 2, citing that sediments were found in both the batches of beer produced and stated that it was unfit for human consumption. “We have written to the Excise DCs in all districts and instructed them to destroy the aforementioned batches of beer,” Shankar said.

Considering the safety of the health of consumers, the department has issued a notice directing the license holders of KSBCL and Retail Vend of Beer to withhold the sale of the said brand of beer that was bottled on July 15, until further notice.