‘Barcodes on liquor bottles susceptible to tampering’

LUCKNOW:In the wake of the recent hooch tragedy that killed 69 people in Uttar Pradesh, the Authentication Solution Providers’ Association (ASPA) has questioned the decision of the state government to replace hologram by bar codes on liquor bottles.

ASPA is a non-profit group that works to ensure authentication of a wide range of items including liquor. UK Gupta, president ASPA said that replacing the holograms with barcode on liquor bottles makes them susceptible to tampering. This not only poses a danger of adulteration but can also affect the excise taxes collected by the state. “Bar codes used currently by the excise department can only be used to keep a check on the inventory but a hologram ensures safety,” Gupta explained.

The department of excise, Uttar Pradesh replaced secured holographic liquor tax stamps with plain barcoded stamps devoid of any physical security features in compliance with the move to implement track and trace technology as per the state’s 2018-19 excise policy. The state excise department currently uses a Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP) label with a 2D barcode which can be easily counterfeited and doesn’t check tampering in an efficient manner, said Gupta. “Use of holograms is ideally the best way to prevent adulteration and tempering with liquor sold in the state. The same is even being used by around 18 other states in the country,” said Gupta. “We have made a formal appeal to the state government to get back to using holograms,” he said.