FSSAI Declares High Risk on Packaged Water: India’s apex food safety regulator, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), has officially classified packaged drinking and mineral water as a ‘high-risk’ food item.
FSSAI Mandates Packaged Water Inspections
According to the FSSAI, the new classification mandates that manufacturers of packaged drinking and mineral water undergo annual inspections before their licenses are renewed. This is aimed at ensuring the highest standards of hygiene and safety in the production process, safeguarding public health. The regulations will also require manufacturers to undergo third-party audits to maintain consistent quality across their products.
Aims To Prevent Contamination
While the new classification might raise concerns, FSSAI clarified that it does not imply that packaged water products are unsafe. Rather, the move aims to implement more rigorous safety protocols to prevent contamination and ensure that water quality is consistently maintained. The FSSAI emphasized that this initiative is part of an ongoing effort to improve the overall safety and transparency of food products available in the market.
It is the government’s broader push to enhance food safety in India, ensuring that consumers have access to high-quality, safe products. The water industry, which has faced occasional scrutiny over issues of contamination, will now be under closer regulatory watch, helping to further build consumer confidence in packaged water products.
This step reflects a growing recognition of the importance of water safety, as bottled water has become common in daily life for millions of consumers across the country.
