Kozhikode: FSSAI drive to ensure quality of packaged drinking water
The FSSAI officials had already begun their mission to trace all vendors selling drinking water with a fake identity.
Kozhikode: As the demand for the packaged drinking water increases due to the soaring temperature, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, has decided to start an inspection drive to ensure its quality.
As a first step, it prepared lists of registered and non-registered suppliers in various parts of the district.
FSSAI officials with these lists will examine these companies and their water sources and take action against unauthorised suppliers.
It has been receiving many complaints regarding the quality of these packaged drinking water available in the market.
"A large number of 20-litre pet bottles with a fake licence number, brand name and BIS standard mark are available in the market," said an official.
The FSSAI officials had already begun their mission to trace all vendors selling drinking water with a fake identity.
They said that manufacture, sale, storage and exhibition for sale of packaged drinking water without a valid licence from BIS and use of 'ISI' standard mark illegally are punishable under law.
BIS licence is given to the manufacturing units only after thorough scrutiny of the unit and testing facility, besides hygiene. Consumption of uncertified packaged water is unsafe and harmful to health.
The district administration directed Kudumbashree to start a drinking water company under them.
FSSAI would, directly and indirectly, monitor the water quality.