In a surprising move, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) classified packaged drinking and mineral water as a ‘High-Risk Food Category.’ It also introduced mandatory third-party audits and inspections. This follows the government’s October directive requiring the mineral and packaged water industry to obtain certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards.
The FSSAI, in its order dated November 29, announced that due to the removal of the mandatory Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification for certain products, ‘Packaged Drinking Water and Mineral Water’ will now be classified as ‘High Risk Food Categories.’ The order stated that packaged water manufacturers must undergo inspections before obtaining a license. Food items under the ‘High Risk’ category are subject to mandatory risk inspections. The policy also includes amendments to categorize mineral water similarly, eliminating the previously mandatory BIS certification for processors and manufacturers.
The FSSAI order specifies that inspections will now be mandatory before granting licenses or registrations. It reiterated that all centrally licensed manufacturers under high-risk food categories must undergo annual audits by FSSAI-recognized third-party food safety agencies. The updated list of high-risk food categories now includes packaged drinking water and mineral water. Previously, the packaged drinking water industry had urged the government to simplify compliance by removing the mandatory certifications from FSSAI and the Bureau of Indian Standards. The new norms aim to streamline compliance processes within the industry.