Statewide Crackdown on Packaged Drinking Water Units: 12 Shut Down After 102 Inspections in Two Days
Bengaluru: The Food Safety and Drug Administration of the Karnataka Department of Health and Family Welfare conducted special inspections of packaged drinking water units across the state on October 29 and 30, following directions from the Minister for Health & Family Welfare & Waqf & Hajj GOK, MLA Mangaluru Constituency, U.T. Khader.
In a post on social media, Khader said that 102 units had been inspected during the two-day drive. A total of 69 water samples were sent to government food laboratories for testing, and notices were issued to 53 units.
The inspections revealed several violations, including unhygienic operating conditions, functioning without a valid licence from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), absence of water analysis reports, staff members without valid medical certificates, labelling violations, and failure to produce pest-control certificates.
Twelve units were shut down during the inspections:
- SMR Aqua Minerals, Mulbagal, Kolar: Unhygienic conditions.
- S.P. Food & Beverages, Hassan: Severely unhygienic conditions.
- Avanti Industries, Madanayakanahalli, Bengaluru Urban: Severely unhygienic conditions.
- Om Shakthi Minerals, Madanayakanahalli, Bengaluru Urban: Operating without an FSSAI licence.
- Aqua Refresh, KIADB, Kalaburagi: Refusal to cooperate with inspection officials.
- Nandi Food and Beverages, KIADB, Kalaburagi: Unhygienic conditions and absence of an FSSAI licence.
- Sai Ram Food Beverages, Bidar: Severely unhygienic conditions.
- Dalia Beverages, Mysuru Rural: Operating without an FSSAI licence.
- Shri Devi Enterprises, Bannimantap, Mysuru.
- Shri Durga Enterprises, Metagalli, Mysuru.
- Chiranthan Food and Beverages, Davanagere.
M.S. Food and Beverages, Devanahalli, Bengaluru Rural: Seizure of 82 cases over labelling violations.
Khader said that units whose samples fail laboratory testing would face stringent legal action under the Food Safety and Standards Act.
“Safe drinking water is non-negotiable. This enforcement drive will continue across every district of Karnataka, and violations will invite strict action,” he stated.
He also urged consumers to exercise caution while purchasing packaged drinking water. Consumers should check the FSSAI licence number, ISI mark, and manufacturing date, and ensure that the bottle or container seal is intact.