In an order aimed at improving the safety and quality standards for consumers, the food regulator Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has classified packaged drinking water and mineral water as a high-risk food category.
In an order dated 29 November, FSSAI has ordered stricter regulatory controls and annual facility inspections. Manufacturers will now have to to undergo mandatory third-party food safety audits and comply with enhanced quality standards every year.
Central license holders in this category must submit to annual inspections aimed at mitigating potential health risks associated with packaged water production, the order signed by Rakesh Kumar, director, FSSAI. said.
The reclassification follows recent amendments to the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011, which previously removed mandatory BIS certification requirements for certain food products.
In an earlier order, In November, the FSSAI had asked eCommerce food business operators to adopt practices to ensure the minimum shelf life of their products. It asked the operators to ensure that they sell products with a shelf life of 30% or 45 days before expiry at the time of delivery to the consumer.
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Naresh Khanna – 10 February 2025
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