Cheap liquor being sold in premium bottles: Officials

Hyderabad: Warning against falling for lower rates on Non-Duty Paid Liquor (NDPL), officials said this could be a case of brand mixing.
Referring to brand mixing, they said it involves filling cheap liquor in empty premium liquor bottles, making it hard to distinguish between the genuine product and imitation while buying.
Citing a recent case, excise officials said that they had intercepted a vehicle in Jubilee Hills carrying bottles with mixed liquor.
Another form of deception occurs when adulterated liquor is sold in clean bottles sourced from people collecting empty bottles.
"These individuals claim to have sourced the liquor from states such as Goa, Haryana and Delhi where prices are lower than in Telangana. While this may seem like a bargain, many do not realise that the liquor could be adulterated," an excise official said.
Officials said while it can be challenging for consumers to distinguish between genuine and counterfeit products, they should try to verify the hologram on the bottles. They also emphasised the importance of not being tempted by the idea of purchasing liquor at a lower price as this could have unwanted repercussions.
With the festive season at its peak, officials warn of more such cases. "Such incidents tend to spike during festive season. So, it is wise to avoid purchasing liquor from individuals offering who are offering it at lower rates. Consumers must know quality comes with a price," another excise official said.