The FSSAI ban on select variants, Old Monk's age, Kaptaan ownership and family link are all real. None of them shows the sons caused the ban, coordinated it, or that it benefits their business.
- No record found: The sources reviewed do not settle whether they first jacked up the price of Choti Advance.
- True: FSSAI barred sale of specific Old Monk variants like The Legend, Gold Reserve and XXX Matured Rum because lab tests found artificial flavours…
- True: Old Monk rum was first released in December 1954.
- True: Manas Agro produces Kaptaan Rum and is run by Sarang and Nikhil Gadkari.
Checked against: mint, en.wikipedia.org, The Lone Caner, The Times of India, LinkedIn
Why we say that›
FSSAI banned select Old Monk variants over artificial flavours. No evidence links this to Gadkari's sons or their Kaptaan Rum.
The ban on specific Old Monk rums for using artificial flavours instead of natural ageing is confirmed by multiple reports. Old Monk's 1954 launch, Kaptaan Rum's ownership by Sarang and Nikhil Gadkari, and their family link are all accurate. The reel leaps from these facts to imply coordinated wrongdoing and personal profiteering without any supporting evidence.
Based on only a few sources, so read this as a first look, not the last word.
The FSSAI order applies only to specific Old Monk variants that failed lab tests for flavouring. Many Old Monk products remain unaffected.
Reported 15 Aug 2026
Claims
4 true · 1 no record
- True
FSSAI has banned Old Monk in India for using artificial flavours.
What we found
FSSAI barred sale of specific Old Monk variants like The Legend, Gold Reserve and XXX Matured Rum because lab tests found artificial flavours instead of natural ageing.
- True
Old Monk was launched in 1954.
What we found
Old Monk rum was first released in December 1954.
- True
Kaptaan Rum is owned by Manas Agro Industries & Infrastructure Limited, which is operated by Sarang and Nikhil.
What we found
Manas Agro produces Kaptaan Rum and is run by Sarang and Nikhil Gadkari.
- True
Sarang and Nikhil are the sons of the E20 Gadbadi Minister.
What we found
Sarang and Nikhil Gadkari are sons of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, who promotes E20 ethanol blending.
- No record found
They first jacked up the price of Choti Advance.
What we found
No reports confirm any price increase on a product called Choti Advance or Chhoti Advance by the Gadkari sons or their company.
The full story, from the sources›
Old Monk Rum is a vatted Indian dark rum, launched in 1954. - en.wikipedia.org (2006-06-13) The Old Monk rum was at first released in December 1954. - The Lone Caner (2020-07-19) Manas Agro Industries, which was hived off from Nitin Gadkari-promoted erstwhile Purti Group [...] Now the two companies are run by Gadkaris sons Sarang and Nikhil and the Union minister is not involved in the day-to-day affairs of the businesses. [...] rolled out its brands of rum and whisky, named Kaptan and Whole Stone respectively. - The Times of India (2022-12-26) The FSSAI has banned three Old Monk variants across India. This includes The Legend, Gold Reserve and XXX Matured Rum. [...] The FSSAI banned Old Monks XXX Rum variants because they contain artificial flavors instead of proper aging methods. - mint (2026-08-04) Kaptaan Rum is produced by Manas Agro Industries and Infrastructure Limited which is owned by Sarang and Nikhil Gadkari, sons of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. - LinkedIn (2026-08-06)
From reporting
What else it leaves out (2)›
- No evidence connects the regulatory action to Kaptaan Rum, the Gadkari family business, or any motive to favour one rum over another.
- E20 policy is a widely promoted government ethanol blending programme. Searches found claims it lowered petrol prices, not raised any liquor price.
How it's framed (4)›
Sources (5)›
The FSSAI has banned three Old Monk variants across India. This includes The Legend, Gold Reserve and XXX Matured Rum. [...] The FSSAI banned Old Monks XXX Rum variants because they contain artificial flavors instead of proper aging methods.
Old Monk Rum is a vatted Indian dark rum, launched in 1954.
The Old Monk rum was at first released in December 1954.
Manas Agro Industries, which was hived off from Nitin Gadkari-promoted erstwhile Purti Group [...] Now the two companies are run by Gadkaris sons Sarang and Nikhil and the Union minister is not involved in the day-to-day affairs of the businesses. [...] rolled out its brands of rum and whisky, named Kaptan and Whole Stone respectively.
Kaptaan Rum is produced by Manas Agro Industries and Infrastructure Limited which is owned by Sarang and Nikhil Gadkari, sons of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.
About this account›
- Shivam Mattoo | MattooNomics posts economic and political commentary, often critical of government policies and elites.
Notes on this check (1)›
- Parts of the audio did not transcribe cleanly.
Checked against 5 sources · 15 Aug 2026
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