Companies already holding licenses must now undergo annual audits and insights based on risks to ensure constant adherence to stricter security and quality standards.
The shift follows the FSSAI decision to classify wrapped drinking water as a “high -risk” category of food. According to a revised inspection system based on risk, companies must now meet hygienic and safety standards before securing the license and will face stricter supervision, including compulsory inspections and annual third -party audits.
High -risk food products include high potential for contamination such as milk, dairy products, meat, eggs and certain meals ready to eat. Inspectorates before licenses are standard practice for these categories and balance bottled water with wider public health measures.
This step is significant because the government in October 2024 provoked a requirement for the obliged authority for Indian standards (BIS) for wrapped and mineral water, which simplified compliance and consolidated the regulatory body according to the FSSAI.
Previously, manufacturers had to file a BIS certificate as part of their FSSAI license, BIS is responsible for the primary inspection.
Questions sent by spokesperson of the Ministry of Health and FSSAI remained unanswered on Monday until the press period.
Quality clamp
The new rules apply across the album-Small Local Companies on the main brand, such as Bisleri, Kinley (Coca-Cola), Aquafina (Pepsico) and Himalayas (Tata).
Indian market water market worth estimated $ 9.5 billion in the years 2024-25 is deposited more than 200 brands and is expected to reach $ 29.7 billion by 2033, which, according to the IMARC Group, will reach composed annual growth (Cagr) 12.45%.
This policy has been discussed at the recent FSSAI Central Advisory Committee in Bhubaneswar, where, according to previously cited people, the State Food Safety Commissioners were promoted to promote the inspection requirement. The aim of the measure is to ensure strict quality control, the responsibility that previously sat with the BIS.
“FSSAI officials will now carry out preliminary inspections of the race before the company license. They will check the source of water, the cleanliness of the plant, the equipment and marking of the bottles. The food commissioner in all countries/UTS was ordered to follow this new rule,” one of the cited officials said.
The second official said that this step responds directly to complaints to unauthorized sellers who complement the bottles of untreated water at home.
According to Lok Sabha on 9 February 2024, India has 6,244 manufacturers licensed for bottled drinking water and 32 for mineral water. There is no official number of unauthorized plants, but industry estimates suggest that an unorganized segment represents a significant part of the market.
According to the 2006 Food Safety and Standards Act may lead to a fine without a license until £5 lakh or imprisonment for up to six months.
Indian bottled water activities were raised by increasing income, urbanization and health problems with factors that supported the spread of new participants. This rapid growth also raised security concerns.
The FSSAI event is essential for the protection of public health and ensuring that every bottle of water on the market is safe for drinking. According to officials, the new regulations will bring more responsibility the industry that has seen rapid expansion.
The leading industry quickly welcomed stricter supervision.
Angelo George, CEO of Bisleri International, said: “Any initiative focused on strengthening public health and security will affect the sector, especially in the fight against the threat of counterfeit water on the market.”
George added that Bisleri has always been proactive in maintaining high standards through conventional internal and third parties and monthly samples analyzes. “These measures reflect our unwavering commitment to provide safe, high quality drinking water and maintain the trust of our consumers.”
“In India Pepsico, the safety and quality of food is the core of everything we do. Our Aquafina brand, part of the category of packed drinking water (PDW), fully meets all relevant Indian food regulations. Each bottle reflects our perennial commitment to supply safe, high quality drinking water to consumers.
TATA Consumer Products spokesman said the company welcomes new initiatives in the quality and security of FSSAI. All its brands, including the Himalayan mineral water, took care of strict controls in the laboratory with an accredited ZAL for physical chemical, microbiology and starting standards. The company remains fully in line with the FSSAI rules and continues to voluntary BIS certification.
Medical experts also supported changes.
Dr. Sawan Bopanna, head of the gastroenterology and hepatology consultant Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, Delhi, said dangerous drinking water remains the main cause of disease such as typhus and cholera. “Such measures before the inspection allow the authorities not only to verify the purity of the source water, but also to assess the hygienic standards maintained during the performance and packaging process.”
Bopanna added that this step could reduce the risk of contaminated water that would reach consumers and increase public confidence.
(Tagstotranslate) FSSAI assumptions water objects
