Seven packaged drinking water units across Karnataka have been ordered to cease operations due to significant violations, including unhygienic conditions and a lack of mandatory licenses. The action was taken as part of a statewide special inspection drive conducted by the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) department to ensure compliance with food safety standards. Officials inspected over 100 units in a two-day period, collecting numerous water samples for laboratory analysis to assess their quality and adherence to prescribed norms.
FSDA Intensifies Crackdown on Unlicensed and Unhygienic Facilities
The intensive inspection drive, which involved multiple teams of food safety officers, targeted packaged drinking water units to address concerns regarding product quality and manufacturing practices. During the inspections, authorities identified several units operating without the necessary Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licenses, a critical requirement for food businesses. Additionally, findings included severe unhygienic conditions within the premises, which pose a direct risk to public health. Some units were also found to be non-cooperative during the inspection process, leading to their immediate closure.
Among the units that faced closure were those located in various districts, including Kalaburagi, Bengaluru Rural, Bidar, Hassan, and Mysuru Rural. Specific violations cited include operating without an FSSAI license, maintaining unsanitary conditions, and a lack of cooperation with regulatory officials. In one instance, a unit in Devanahalli taluk of Bengaluru Rural district was found to have labelling defects, leading to the seizure of 82 cases of one-litre packaged drinking water bottles. Samples collected from various inspected units have been sent to government food laboratories for comprehensive testing.
Stringent Legal Action Promised for Future Violations
The FSDA has emphasized that this special inspection drive is ongoing and will continue across the state. Authorities have issued stern warnings that stringent legal action will be initiated against any packaged drinking water units found to be in violation of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and its associated rules. This includes potential fines, license suspensions, and further closures, depending on the severity of the infringements. The department also seized misbranded water from units in Mysuru and Davanagere, and a unit in Mulbagal, Kolar district, was shut down due to unsanitary conditions.
The crackdown comes in the wake of similar intensified inspections targeting other food businesses in the state, including sweet-making units, ice-cream manufacturers, hotels, and restaurants. The Health and Family Welfare Minister, U T Khader, has reiterated the department’s commitment to ensuring the quality and safety of drinking water, stating that there will be no compromise on these standards. Consumers have been advised to exercise caution and verify crucial details such as the FSSAI license number, ISI mark, manufacturing date, and the integrity of the seal before purchasing packaged drinking water. The department has also provided a mechanism for consumers to lodge complaints by scanning a QR code, facilitating prompt action against defaulting businesses.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
