Supreme Court Issues Notice on Plea Seeking Ban on Liquor Sold in Tetra Packs and Sachets

May 20, 2026 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued notice to the Union government and multiple State Excise authorities on a petition seeking a nationwide prohibition on the sale of alcoholic beverages in inconspicuous packaging formats such as tetra packs and sachets.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant and Justice Justice Joymalya Bagchi directed the Centre and State authorities to file their responses to the plea moved by the organisation Community Against Drunken Driving.

During the hearing, the Court expressed concern over the manner in which certain alcoholic beverages were being packaged and marketed. The Bench observed that liquor products sold in containers resembling fruit juice cartons or other non-alcoholic beverages could potentially mislead consumers.

Appearing for the petitioner organisation, Advocate Vipin Nair argued that several alcohol products sold in tetra packs carried fruit imagery and flavour descriptions without displaying prominent statutory health warnings similar to those mandated for tobacco products. He contended that such packaging created a deceptive appearance capable of misleading consumers, particularly minors.

The petition sought directions to the Central government to frame a uniform national policy prohibiting the sale of liquor in tetra packs, sachets and other concealed or inconspicuous packaging formats across all States and Union Territories. It also sought standardisation of the legal definition of bottling under excise laws by restricting alcoholic beverages to glass bottles or other clearly distinguishable containers.

According to the plea, the existing packaging practices enabled easy concealment and transportation of liquor, increased the likelihood of underage consumption, encouraged drinking in public places and moving vehicles, and facilitated interstate smuggling. Environmental concerns arising from disposable multi-layer packaging materials were also highlighted.

The petition further alleged that certain vodka products were marketed using fruit names, colourful packaging and designs resembling juice cartons, thereby blurring the distinction between alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. It argued that such branding strategies could target juvenile consumers and evade effective regulatory scrutiny under existing excise and public health laws.

The plea also referred to earlier oral observations made by the Supreme Court in November 2025 during trademark rectification proceedings involving whisky brands, where the Court had expressed concern that liquor sold in tetra packs closely resembled fruit juice cartons.