The change follows the government’s October decision to remove the requirement for certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for these products.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has classified packaged drinking and mineral water as a ‘High-Risk Food Category.’ According to a notification by the regulatory body, these products will now be subject to mandatory inspections and third-party audits.
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“Consequent to the omission of sub-regulation 2.3.14 (4), (5), (17) and (18) of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibitions and Restriction on Sales) Regulations, 2011 (copy of notification is attached), which pertain to mandatory Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification for certain food products, it has been decided that ‘Packaged Drinking Water and Mineral Water’ (for which BIS certification was mandatory prior to Gazette notification of Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) first Amendment Regulations, 2024 dated 17th October 2024) will be treated under ‘High Risk Food Categories’,” FSSAI said in a notification issued on 29 November 2024.
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The change follows the government’s October decision to remove the requirement for certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for these products.
As per these latest guidelines, the inspection of manufacturers/processors for the food products is mandatory before the grant of license or registration. As per the FSSAI’s order, businesses in high-risk food categories, including packaged drinking water, will need to undergo annual audits by third-party food safety agencies recognised by FSSAI.
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“It is reiterated that all Centrally Licensed Manufacturers under High Risk Food Categories shall get its business audited by FSSAI recognised third party food safety auditing agency every year. The list of High Risk Food Categories now also includes Packaged Drinking Water and Mineral Water,” FSSAI stated.
The decision has been taken to ensure stricter safety measures for products that fall under the high-risk category.
Earlier, the packaged drinking water industry had called for simplified regulations. They had also requested the removal of dual certification requirements from both BIS and FSSAI.
