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States told to check if pkgd water cos have BIS certification
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Thursday, 28 April, 2022, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Ashwani Maindola, New Delhi
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The FSSAI has asked state food safety officials to launch a special drive to check whether packaged drinking water and mineral water companies have BIS certification or not, as these products can’t be sold without BIS certification, which is mandatory under FSS Act.
“Notices may be issued to the FBOs to furnish the same (details of the BIS certification) in a time bound manner,” reads the FSSAI order adding that the licences of such FBOs, who failed to provide details of BIS certification, may be cancelled or suspended as per FSS Licensing and Registration Regulation.
According to an official with FSSAI, the food regulator was in receipt of several complaints that a number of manufacturers of packaged drinking water and mineral water were operating and manufacturing these products without having BIS certification, which is mandatory for the sale of such products in the country.
Ashwin Bhadri, CEO, Equinox Labs, says, “BIS certification is mandatory for the Food Business Operators who serve the packaged water for drinking purpose. Some limited people have acquired BIS certification post conducting water analysis. Water analysis allows ensuring the water is suitable for consumption purposes or not. In case it lacks any minerals or contains any contaminants further steps are recommended. Serving the water without conducting the water analysis hampers the health of consumers as well as affects the brand's reputation.”
He added, “Though the licences have been issued, the labelling defects can be improved post conducting reviews. Water is constantly used in our daily needs, therefore it's the core responsibility of the FBOs to ensure that safer consumption is provided to the users. Additionally, the use of BIS certification without conducting any tests misleads the consumers with the information on the labelling.”
Earlier, the FSSAI had issued an order in March 2021directing the food businesses to upload BIS licence or copy of a letter indicating recording of application for BIS licence on FoSCoS portal at the time of applying for new licence for packaged drinking water and mineral water from FSSAI.
The Food Businesses were also directed to furnish details of the BIS licence after obtaining it in the online annual return documents.
The FSSAI has asked the state food authorities to submit an action taken report by May 31, 2022.
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