The FSSAI Categorizes Packaged Drinking Water and Mineral Water as a High-Risk Food Category

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has classified the packaged drinking and mineral water sector as a High-Risk Food Category, requiring mandatory inspections and third-party audits.

This decision comes after the government’s October announcement to eliminate the requirement for certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards for the packaged drinking and mineral water industry.

The FSSAI stated that due to the lack of mandatory Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification for specific products, it has been determined that ‘Packaged Drinking Water and Mineral Water’ will be classified as ‘High-Risk Food Categories.

Food products classified as high-risk are required to undergo mandatory risk-based inspections. The regulator has announced updates to its Risk-Based Inspection Policy, now encompassing packaged drinking water and mineral water.

As a result, manufacturers of these products will be inspected annually based on risk assessments and prior to receiving a license or registration.

In its order dated November 29, the regulator stated that inspections of manufacturers or processors in food categories, from which the mandatory BIS certification requirement has been lifted, will now be necessary prior to the issuance of a license or registration.

It is emphasized that all centrally licensed manufacturers in high-risk food categories must undergo an annual audit conducted by a third-party food safety auditing agency recognized by FSSAI.

The Food Safety Authority’s directive also states that packaged drinking water and mineral water are now included in the list of high-risk food categories.

Click here to view the official Notification from FSSAI

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