FSSAI Alert: The water we often trust the most—bottled or mineral water—might not be as safe as we think. A recent report by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has classified packaged drinking water and mineral water as high-risk food categories. This revelation highlights potential risks to our health, urging stricter measures and monitoring for the industry.
FSSAI Report
According to FSSAI, several packaged water products fail to meet the standards set by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Both packaged drinking water and mineral water often do not comply with BIS certification requirements. This non-compliance has resulted in their classification under the high-risk category.
Inspection to Tighten Quality Control
In response to these findings, FSSAI has mandated stricter inspection measures. From now on, mineral water manufacturers will undergo annual inspections under a third-party audit framework. Additionally, changes in the Risk-Based Inspection Policy have been introduced for packaged water to ensure quality and safety.
Challenges Ahead for Packaged Water
The new FSSAI policies have increased pressure on manufacturers of packaged and mineral water. They must now comply with mandatory annual inspections for licensing and registration, especially for products lacking BIS certification. This move aims to address quality issues and improve consumer safety.
Mandatory Third-Party Audits
Products categorized as high-risk, including bottled and mineral water, will now be subject to annual audits by third-party agencies. These audits are designed to measure and improve the quality of such products.
Industry Requests Simplified Regulations
The packaged drinking water industry has previously requested the government to simplify certification norms. Currently, manufacturers need dual certifications—one from BIS and another from FSSAI. Despite their requests, stricter norms are being implemented to ensure product quality and consumer safety.
Safety above All
FSSAI’s decision to tighten regulations for bottled and mineral water reflects the authority’s commitment to safeguarding public health. These new measures will not only improve the quality of packaged water but also hold manufacturers accountable for adhering to the highest standards. Consumers must stay informed and cautious while choosing bottled water, as purity and safety are now under scrutiny.
