Media365
Packaged drinking water may look no different on store shelves, but it now falls under one of the strictest regulatory categories overseen by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The “high-risk” classification is designed to strengthen quality control from factory to retail shelf, while giving consumers more reason to inspect what they’re buying.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has classified packaged drinking water and mineral water as “high-risk food” — a move that strengthens regulatory oversight of one of the country’s most widely consumed products.
The classification, which came into effect in late 2024, does not mean bottled water is unsafe to drink. Instead, it places packaged drinking water under stricter manufacturing and inspection norms to ensure consumers receive water that consistently meets prescribed safety standards.
Why has FSSAI classified bottled water as ‘high-risk’?
Unlike many food products that are cooked before consumption, packaged drinking water is consumed directly from the bottle. Any lapse in sourcing, purification, packaging or storage can therefore have a direct impact on consumer health.
By bringing packaged drinking water and mineral water under the high-risk category, FSSAI has made manufacturers subject to more stringent licensing requirements, regular inspections, periodic audits and tighter compliance checks.
The move is aimed at strengthening quality control across the supply chain — from production facilities to distribution networks — rather than discouraging consumers from buying bottled water.
What changes for manufacturers?
Under the revised framework, food businesses manufacturing packaged drinking water must obtain licences through FSSAI’s Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS). Commercial production can begin only after both source water and treated water are tested in FSSAI-notified laboratories.
Manufacturers are also required to comply with prescribed quality standards, including limits for total dissolved solids (TDS) and pH levels, while ensuring transparent labelling.
Every bottle must clearly mention whether it is “Packaged Drinking Water” or “Mineral Water”. Companies are also prohibited from making misleading health or curative claims about their products.
Experts advise caution, not panic
Nutrition experts say the revised classification should be viewed as a regulatory safeguard rather than a reason to avoid bottled water.
They point out that poor storage practices — such as bottles being left in direct sunlight for extended periods — or improper handling by unlicensed vendors can pose greater concerns than the packaged water itself.
Experts also advise consumers to avoid repeatedly refilling single-use plastic water bottles, as they are not designed for prolonged reuse.
The bottom line
FSSAI’s “high-risk” classification is ultimately about improving food safety standards, not raising alarm over bottled water.
For consumers, the change serves as a reminder that a quick inspection of the seal, label and storage conditions can go a long way in ensuring the water they buy is safe to drink. At the same time, stricter regulatory scrutiny is expected to push manufacturers towards higher compliance standards, improving confidence in packaged drinking water sold across the country.
