FSSAI Declares Packaged & Mineral Water as High-Risk

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The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has officially declared packaged drinking water and mineral water as part of the “High-Risk Food Categories,” in a significant move to ensure better consumer protection and quality control in the packaged water industry. This decision, which came into effect on November 29, 2024, is aimed at addressing the health risks associated with water safety and strengthening the regulations around water production.

New FSSAI Regulations: What You Need to Know

In its recent order, FSSAI highlighted the necessity for manufacturers to comply with stricter guidelines and undergo annual third-party food safety audits to ensure their products meet enhanced quality standards. The reclassification means that manufacturers of packaged drinking water and mineral water are now required to submit to these mandatory audits conducted by FSSAI-approved third-party agencies.

According to the FSSAI order, “It is reiterated that all centrally licensed manufacturers under the High-Risk Food Categories shall get their business audited by an FSSAI recognised third-party food safety auditing agency every year.” This is designed to ensure that the products meet all food safety norms and are free from any potential contamination. The move comes as a proactive measure to safeguard the health of consumers by ensuring that water products sold in the market are of the highest quality and comply with international safety standards.

Who Does This Affect?

The reclassification of packaged drinking water and mineral water as high-risk food categories impacts all food business operators in the non-alcoholic beverage sector. This includes manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of packaged drinking water and mineral water. These businesses must now ensure that they undergo the mandatory annual food safety audits, along with complying with all the other safety norms outlined by FSSAI.

Importantly, businesses that are exempt from Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification will also need to undergo inspections before they can obtain a license or registration. This is a crucial step in maintaining rigorous checks and balances across the industry.

Enhanced Inspection and Regulatory Framework

With the new regulations, all food operators dealing with packaged drinking water and mineral water will be subject to stricter inspections. These inspections aim to identify any issues with water production processes, packaging, storage, or distribution that could potentially pose health risks to consumers. Through these measures, the FSSAI hopes to prevent issues such as contamination, which could occur at any stage of production and distribution.

The move is also designed to address consumer concerns about the quality and safety of packaged water, which has often been questioned due to concerns over the sources of water, the purification processes, and the materials used in packaging.

Link to BIS Certification Changes

In addition to reclassifying water products as high-risk foods, FSSAI’s new move follows recent changes to the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011. These changes removed the mandatory BIS Certification requirement for certain food products, including packaged water, but now the new audit requirements aim to fill that gap with regular inspections and rigorous safety standards. This highlights FSSAI’s commitment to keeping water safety at the forefront of food safety regulations.

Relative Background and Recent Developments

This reclassification is part of a broader effort by the FSSAI to ensure consumer protection and maintain the integrity of the food and beverage industry. Earlier, the FSSAI made headlines by declassifying certain beverages from being categorized as health drinks, including dairy-based, cereal-based, and malt-based mixes. These changes were part of an overall effort to better define product categories and reduce confusion in the marketplace.

Furthermore, the FSSAI had previously made important decisions regarding the regulation of energy drinks. According to the FSSAI, “Energy Drinks - is permitted to be used only on the products licensed under Food Category System (FCS) 14.1.4.1 and 14.1.4.2 (Carbonated and Non-carbonated water-based flavoured drinks).” The regulation ensures that energy drinks are regulated and standardized in a way that protects consumers from potential harm caused by excessive caffeine and other additives.

3 Types of Food Contamination

In line with its regulatory updates, FSSAI also recently took to social media to raise awareness about food contamination. The organization shared details on three primary types of food contamination:

  1. Physical Contamination: This occurs when foreign objects, such as pieces of glass, metal, or plastic, contaminate food during production or preparation.
  2. Chemical Contamination: This happens when food comes into contact with harmful chemicals, such as pesticides or toxic cleaning agents, leading to potential poisoning.
  3. Microbiological Contamination: This type of contamination happens when food is contaminated by harmful microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, or fungi, which can cause illnesses.

Understanding these types of contamination is essential for both producers and consumers to prevent the risk of foodborne diseases and ensure that food products, including water, remain safe for consumption.

Conclusion

The decision to reclassify packaged drinking water and mineral water as high-risk food categories reflects FSSAI’s ongoing commitment to improving food safety standards in India. By introducing mandatory third-party audits and enhancing quality checks, FSSAI aims to ensure that consumers have access to safe, clean, and high-quality water. These changes are vital not only for consumer protection but also for fostering a safer, more transparent food industry in India.

As businesses in the water sector comply with these new regulations, it is expected that the overall safety of packaged drinking water and mineral water in the country will improve, ensuring that consumers can trust the products they purchase.

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