The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India or FSSAI, has decided to classify packaged drinking and mineral water as a High-Risk Food Category,' which means that they will now be subject to mandatory inspections and third-party audits.

The change follows the central government’s October decision to remove the requirement for certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for these products. Under the new rule, all packaged drinking and mineral water manufacturers will now face annual, risk-based inspections. The move, according to the FSSAI, aims to improve the safety and quality standards of products for consumers.

In its order, the FSSAI said, "As a consequence of the omission of the mandatory Bureau of India certification for certain products, it has been decided that 'Packaged Drinking Water and Mineral Water' will be treated under 'High-Risk Food Categories."

"It is reiterated that all centrally licensed manufacturers under high-risk food categories shall get their business audited annually by an FSSAI-recognised third-party food safety auditing agency. The list of high-risk food categories now also includes packaged drinking water and mineral water," the order added.

According to experts, high-risk foods are defined as ready-to-eat foods that support bacterial growth. These types of foods must be handled carefully and kept separate from raw foods.

Doctors say poor food hygiene leads to serious consequences like food poisoning incidents or even death. It can also lead to business and financial consequences such as customer complaints, brand damage, fines, and legal action. Therefore, it is in everyone’s interest to maintain the highest standards of food safety. High-risk foods, in particular, tend to be involved in outbreaks of food poisoning, so make sure to follow the appropriate methods to ensure they are safe to eat.

Experts say apart from water – which usually has bacterial, fungal, and chemical invasion – even food items like meats, chicken, and even vegetables come under high-risk foods. There are several steps you should take while handling high-risk foods, including:

Keep all the food separate.

Keep them refrigerated and avoid leaving them at room temperature.

Keep food-contact surfaces clean.

Wash hands regularly.

Do not refreeze food that has already been defrosted.

Foods that support bacterial multiplication need strict temperature controls as well as effective protection from contamination, especially from raw foods like meat, poultry, and fish.

With increasing concerns in recent times, packaged drinking water in India has become one of the major concerns, especially because of the fast-growing market of bottled water. Hence, regulatory bodies need to get more vigilant and severe about the issues in this particular sector.

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