The Supreme Court has issued a sharp critique of liquor packaging that mimics juice boxes, warning of the potential for children to carry alcohol to school. The apex court questioned the rationale behind state approvals for such products, suggesting that the primary motivation appears to be revenue, with insufficient regard for public health implications. The Court noted that these tetra packs do not adequately convey their alcoholic nature and fail to display mandatory health warnings, making them easily concealable and accessible to minors.
The discussion on packaging arose during a complex, multi-year trademark dispute between Officer’s Choice and Original Choice, prominent players in the Indian whisky market. Their legal battle over alleged similarities in branding and labels has persisted for over twenty years. The Supreme Court, observing the protracted nature of the litigation, advised both companies to consider redesigning their packaging, including aspects like color combinations and emblem styles, to mitigate confusion and address the concerns raised. Both parties have signaled their intent to investigate design modifications as a potential path forward.