Mon Dec 02 12:45:55 UTC 2024: **FSSAI Designates Packaged Drinking Water as ‘High-Risk’ Food Category**
NEW DELHI, Dec 2, 2024 – The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has reclassified packaged drinking water and mineral water as “high-risk” food categories, triggering stricter regulations for manufacturers and distributors. This move, announced on November 29th, comes amid growing concerns about the safety of bottled water in India’s rapidly expanding market.
The FSSAI’s decision mandates increased surveillance and annual audits by third-party agencies for all centrally licensed manufacturers of high-risk foods, including the newly added category of packaged drinking water. The agency has also removed the previously mandatory Bureau of India Standards (BIS) certification, replacing it with mandatory inspections of processing and manufacturing facilities.
According to the FSSAI, high-risk foods are those with a greater potential for contamination and subsequent food poisoning due to issues in handling or storage. The reclassification of packaged drinking water reflects the agency’s commitment to ensuring the safety and quality of this increasingly vital commodity for Indian consumers. The new regulations are expected to significantly enhance the oversight of the bottled water industry.
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