India packaged drinking water and mineral water is high risk food categories What it means

India’s food regulating body can put packaged drinking water and mineral water in the “high-risk food” category. According to a notification by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), these products will not be subject to inspections and audits.

The move comes after the government’s October decision to eliminate the need for Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification for these products.

Under the updated guidelines, manufacturers and processors must undergo mandatory inspections before being granted licenses or registrations.

Businesses operating in high-risk food categories, such as packaged drinking water, are now required to undergo annual audits conducted by FSSAI-recognised third-party food safety agencies.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

FSSAI’s move to label packaged drinking water and mineral water as “high-risk food” isn’t something to worry about. It doesn’t mean these products are unsafe. Instead, it ensures stricter safety checks.

Manufacturers and businesses will now have to go through regular inspections and yearly audits to maintain quality and safety for consumers. This measure enables the enforcement of stricter safety protocols.

Previously, the packaged drinking water industry had advocated for streamlined regulations, including the removal of dual certification requirements by both BIS and FSSAI.

Specifically, they sought the removal of the requirement for obtaining certifications from two separate authorities—the Bureau of Indian Standards and the FSSAI.

Businesses faced challenges because of this dual certification process, such as increased costs, administrative burdens, and procedural delays.

By advocating for streamlined regulations, the industry aimed to reduce these hurdles.

In October, the government decided to eliminate the requirement for Bureau of Indian Standards certification for packaged water. Under the revised regulations, all manufacturers of packaged drinking and mineral water must now undergo annual, risk-based inspections as a prerequisite for obtaining a license or registration.

WHAT ARE HIGH-RISK FOOD CATEGORIES?

As per FSSAI, high-risk food categories are those foods that need to undergo regular inspections and auditing every year. The businesses have to be audited by a food safety auditing agency, recognised by the FSSAI.

Other products that come under the high-risk food categories are:

• Dairy products and analogues
• Meat and meat products including poultry,
• Fish and fish products, including molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms
• Eggs and egg products
• Food products intended for particular nutritional uses
• Prepared foods
• Indian sweets
• Nutrients and their preparations (fortified rice kernels only)

The inspection takes place from time to time by designated offers or food safety officers with a strict implementation plan every year. Food commissioners in each state and UT also monitor the progress of the inspections.