$DEO

Diageo agreed to reformulate key whisky and rum brands in India after FSSAI action, Reuters reported. The company will remove added whisky and rum flavorings from Antiquity Blue and Royal Challenge, and McDowell’s No. 1 Celebration Matured XXX Rum, and update front labels. The changes are set to apply nationwide, potentially easing state sales bans/restrictions.

Diageo said it will appoint Alex Keith, former CEO of Procter & Gamble’s Beauty business, as a non-executive director on 5 Nov 2026, pending shareholder approval. Keith has 35+ years in consumer goods and has served as a Thermo Fisher Scientific non-executive director since 2020. The move follows Diageo’s $1.2bn restructuring targeting $850m savings.

Reuters reports Diageo agreed with India’s food safety regulator to reformulate some whisky and rum brands after bans in certain states over alleged improper flavour additions. The regulator will lift the bans on that basis, covering products including Antiquity Blue, Royal Challenge, and McDowell’s No. 1 Celebration Matured XXX Rum. Diageo’s India unit and the regulator did not comment.

Diageo India, via its listed subsidiary United Spirits, will reformulate Royal Challenge, Antiquity Blue and McDowell’s No.1 Rum after India’s FSSAI objected to added flavouring substances that replicate whisky or rum. Diageo said changes will be made within three months, following FSSAI action that barred some products and allowed a transition period for existing stocks.

Kenya’s Competition Authority (CAK) has demanded a $115m reserve in Diageo’s planned sale of its 65% stake in East African Breweries (EABL) to Asahi, citing potential liabilities and third-party claims, delaying the deal. Diageo said the conditions have “no basis” and are unrelated. Diageo agreed to sell for about $2.3bn in Dec 2025 amid court challenges.

Diageo agreed, according to Reuters, to reformulate some whisky and rum brands in India after FSSAI action over added flavours and labelling. The changes cover Antiquity Blue and Royal Challenge (Madhya Pradesh) and McDowell’s No. 1 Celebration Matured XXX Rum (Maharashtra), with flavouring disclosures on packaging while reformulation proceeds. FSSAI is also restricting sales in some states.

The article contrasts Jim Cramer’s views on Diageo (DEO) and Constellation Brands (STZ). It says Diageo faces growth challenges tied to generational drinking shifts and issues in Latin America and China, including a 34.9% China sales decline in fiscal 2026. For STZ, it cites fiscal Q1 beer sales of $2.28B (+2%) but beer depletion -0.3% and weaker wine and spirits shipments.

Diageo is launching its Rare Series of ultra-aged Scotch single malts, featuring five whiskies aged 33 to 55 years from its oldest maturing stocks. The inaugural releases include Glenury Royal (55 years, 232 bottles), Clynelish (42, 160), Caol Ila (42, 318), Talisker (33, 331), and Blair Athol (34, 347). Diageo says production is limited and prices are about $1,100/£800 to $7,700/£5,700.

Diageo said it has taken its dispute with India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) to court, challenging a prohibition order against McDowell’s No. 1 Celebration Matured XXX Rum. Diageo and its India unit United Spirits argue the order lacked legal authority and skipped required adjudication, citing Reuters-reviewed filings. No court ruling yet, so the ban remains until the next hearing.

Diageo CEO Dave Lewis outlined a turnaround plan after several years of falling profits, according to Financial Times. For the year to 30 June 2026, Diageo reported 2% lower organic revenue and operating profit down 27% to $3.2 billion. The company plans to redesign its operating model and overhaul its supply chain, targeting $1 billion in savings, while boosting growth via Guinness global expansion and lower-priced bottles in the US.