Seven bottled drinking water units have been shut down in Karnataka for violating regulations

Samples taken during inspections were sent to government food laboratories to assess their quality and compliance with prescribed food safety standards. | Image to illustrate | Photo credit: File photo

Karnataka’s Food Safety and Drug Administration has shut down seven bottled drinking water units across Karnataka for serious violations, including gross unsanitary conditions, operating without mandatory licenses and non-cooperation with inspection teams as part of a statewide special inspection.

Officials also seized 82 cases of one-litre packaged drinking water bottles worth ₹7,380 from MS Food and Beverages in Devanahalli taluk of Bengaluru rural district after detecting defects in the labels.

From October 29 to 30, up to 102 bottled drinking water units were inspected, 69 water samples were taken for laboratory analysis, and 53 food business operators (PPOs) were issued notices for various violations.

On the second day of the drive, officials inspected 57 units and took 37 samples for testing. 29 departments were issued notices for violations, including unsanitary conditions, absence of medical certificates for food handlers, labeling defects, unavailability of water analysis reports and missing mandatory pest control certificates.

Among the closed units were SP Food and Beverages in Hassan district, Avanti Industries in Bengaluru city and Sai Ram Food Beverages in Bidar district due to gross unsanitary conditions.

Om Shakthi Minerals in Bengaluru Urban, Nandi Food and Beverages in Kalaburagi and Dalia Beverages in Mysuru Rural were closed for operating without the mandatory Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) license. Nandi Food and Beverages was also found to be maintaining unsanitary conditions.

Aqua Refresh bottled drinking water unit in Kalaburagi district has been closed for non-cooperation in inspection and investigation.

Samples taken during inspections were sent to government food laboratories to assess their quality and compliance with prescribed food safety standards.

The ministry said the special inspection drive would continue across the state and warned that strict legal action would be initiated against bottled drinking water units found violating the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the rules contained therein.

Published – 31 Oct 2026 0:20 AM IST