http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/GI-certified-cashew-feni-still-legal-only-in-Goa/articleshow/19369766.cms
GI-certified cashew feni still 'legal' only in GoaPANAJI: Four years after it
received a geographical indication (GI) certificate cashewfeni can still not be
sold legally in other parts of the country.By virtue of the certification, only
liquor made from cashew apples within Goa can be called 'feni', much like
champagne, the sparkling wine made in the Champagne region of France.Industry
sources say the dilemma over cashew feni exists because the alcohol is still
classified as a 'country liquor', and country liquors can only be sold within
the states where they are produced.Faced with this situation, cashew feni
bottlers and distillers have been lobbying with the state government to
classify the brew either as a 'heritage liquor' or an IMFL (Indian made foreign
liquor), so that it can be sold in other states which have potentially huge
markets as the alcohol is synonymous with Goa.Cashew Feni Distillers and
Bottlers Association secretary GurudattaBhakta says, "The GI tag has absolutely
not helped the marketing or sales of cashew feni. Cashew feni is not allowed
entry in other states because of the country-liquor tag. If it is classified as
IMFL then may be the market will open up." Bhakta owns one of the biggest
distilleries of cashew feni in Goa.On the other hand, association president Mac
Vaz, who is owner of a popular brand of cashew feni, says, "The GI certificate
is to protect cashew feni, not to promote it." He says the GI tag will prevent
other states, such as Maharashtra or Kerala, which also produce large
quantities of cashew apples, from producing and selling 'feni'. Vaz hopes the
government classifies cashew feni as 'heritage liquor' so that exporting it
becomes easier.Strangely though, while industry stakeholders managed to get the
GI certification, nobody has bothered to keep a check on whether cashew feni
being sold under different labels in Goa is genuine or fake.According to
Bhakta, the fake cashew feni volumes are probably about 20 times the quantity
of genuine cashew feni produced in Goa. Most of this fake cashew feni is sold
to unsuspecting tourists who think it is genuine because they have purchased it
in Goa. Most of the cashew feni sold in bars and tavernas across the state are
often fake or adulterated, sources said.The association has initiated moves to
certify genuine cashew feni. "I've met the chief minister and he said he'll
form a 'certification committee' to certify the GI on bottles," Bhakta says,
adding, "The commissioner of excise might do it."A senior excise official, who
has been overseeing the production of cashew feni, says the grey market for the
brew is huge, with many bottlers and distillers themselves involved in the
lucrative trade.Excise commissioner Menino de Souza says, "A meeting of all the
stakeholders will be convened soon to draw a roadmap. It will be decided how to
take it forward from the GI certification. We are all for protecting the
production of feni and the government will give all assistance for it."
