Kerala has officially raised the permissible alcohol limit in toddy, a traditional palm wine, resolving a 16-year legal dispute. The state government has approved a revised specification, fixing the maximum ethyl alcohol content in coconut palm toddy at 8.98% v/v at 15.56°C. This decision follows a directive from the Supreme Court on May 1, 2024, which called for a scientific review of the existing regulations.

The previous limit, set in 2007, capped the ethyl alcohol content at 8.1% v/v, sparking legal challenges and debates over public health and regulatory concerns. The recent change marks a significant policy shift, influenced by expert recommendations and a push to modernize the toddy industry.

The Supreme Court's directive came in response to a special leave petition filed by Komalan, a former toddy shop licensee from Thiruvananthapuram. The legal debate gained traction after Komalan cited a study by Prof. T N Anirudhan of Kerala University, which suggested a higher permissible limit of 9.59% v/v in coconut toddy. The state government initially rejected this recommendation, fearing that alcohol levels exceeding 8.1% could indicate adulteration with spirits like arrack.

Following the Supreme Court's order, the state government conducted an in-depth study and subsequently approved the revised limit of 8.98% v/v. This decision is expected to be formalized with a gazette notification soon.

Kerala's government has been actively working to revitalize the toddy sector through the newly established Toddy Board. The board aims to modernize production practices and promote toddy as a safe, traditional beverage. With over 5,000 licensed toddy shops selling approximately 300,000 liters daily, the increased alcohol limit is poised to significantly impact the industry.

The new liquor policy in Kerala also includes measures to promote the toddy sector, such as allowing private sector involvement in bottling and exporting toddy. Additionally, the government has reportedly increased the amount of toddy that tappers can legally extract from coconut palms and has maintained that dry days will not apply to toddy shops.

The decision to raise the legal alcohol limit in toddy reflects a balancing act between preserving tradition, addressing public health concerns, and supporting the local economy. It also aligns with the government's broader approach to the liquor industry, which includes allowing liquor service on luxury cruise vessels and in IT parks under certain restrictions.