Bottled and Audited: FSSAI’s Clean Water Crusade Hits Maharashtra

In a historic step to safeguard public health, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has ordered 100% testing of every packaged drinking water facility in the state of Maharashtra. The complete order, issued in a recent review meeting, is in the aftermath of increasing concern about the safety and quality of bottled waters in India.

 

Key Highlights

100% Facility Inspections: All of Maharashtra's packaged drinking water units shall henceforth come under compulsory inspection, in the interest of keeping strict food safety standards in compliance and avoiding the possibility of contamination.

 

Bi-Annual Compliance Checks: The FSSAI has also stressed bi-annual compliance checks in all such units, to keep vigil round-the-clock beyond a mere annual audit.

 

High-Risk Food Category: FSSAI officially-classified packaged drinking water and mineral water, in December 2024, as 'High-Risk Food Categories' together with dairy, meat, seafood, and infant food under the strongest regulatory control.

 

Mandatory Third-Party Audits: Manufacturers are now required to undergo third-party food safety audits every year by FSSAI-approved organizations, tightening the screws further.

 

Regulatory Context: This is subsequent to an October 2024 amendment that eliminated the earlier mandatory requirement of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification and instead focused on direct FSSAI-mandated inspection and audits.

 

Wider Food Safety Drive: FSSAI CEO G Kamala Vardhana Rao also urged better hygiene among street food vendors and rewarded Maharashtra temples for food safety best practices.

 

Why Now?

 

New studies have identified shocking levels of microplastics and nanoplastics in packaged water, which has created serious health concerns among consumers. By declaring packaged water high-risk and stepping up inspections, FSSAI is trying to regain consumer confidence and ensure that safe, quality-checked water reaches the market.

 

"This measure is to further safeguard consumers and to enforce strict quality control in the bottled water industry." 

Source: Rediff Money, Times of India, Financial Express, Deccan Herald, Free Press Journal

 

Source: Rediff Money, Times of India, Financial Express, Deccan Herald, Free Press JournalIn a historic step to safeguard public health, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has ordered 100% testing of every packaged drinking water facility in the state of Maharashtra. The complete order, issued in a recent review meeting, is in the aftermath of increasing concern about the safety and quality of bottled waters in India.

 

Key Highlights

100% Facility Inspections: All of Maharashtra's packaged drinking water units shall henceforth come under compulsory inspection, in the interest of keeping strict food safety standards in compliance and avoiding the possibility of contamination.

 

Bi-Annual Compliance Checks: The FSSAI has also stressed bi-annual compliance checks in all such units, to keep vigil round-the-clock beyond a mere annual audit.

 

High-Risk Food Category: FSSAI officially-classified packaged drinking water and mineral water, in December 2024, as 'High-Risk Food Categories' together with dairy, meat, seafood, and infant food under the strongest regulatory control.

 

Mandatory Third-Party Audits: Manufacturers are now required to undergo third-party food safety audits every year by FSSAI-approved organizations, tightening the screws further.

 

Regulatory Context: This is subsequent to an October 2024 amendment that eliminated the earlier mandatory requirement of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification and instead focused on direct FSSAI-mandated inspection and audits.

 

Wider Food Safety Drive: FSSAI CEO G Kamala Vardhana Rao also urged better hygiene among street food vendors and rewarded Maharashtra temples for food safety best practices.

 

Why Now?

 

New studies have identified shocking levels of microplastics and nanoplastics in packaged water, which has created serious health concerns among consumers. By declaring packaged water high-risk and stepping up inspections, FSSAI is trying to regain consumer confidence and ensure that safe, quality-checked water reaches the market.

 

"This measure is to further safeguard consumers and to enforce strict quality control in the bottled water industry." 

 

Source: Rediff Money, Times of India, Financial Express, Deccan Herald, Free Press Journal