FSSAI classifies packaged drinking water as ‘High Risk Food Category’
FSSAI classifies packaged drinking water as ‘High Risk Food Category’. Food products that come under the ‘High Risk’ category are subjected to mandatory risk-based inspections
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has decided to treat the packaged drinking and mineral water segment as a “High Risk Food Category” and subject to mandatory inspection and third-party audit norms.
From the recent FSSAI order, here are the specific points related to non-alcoholic soft beverages, packaged drinking water, and associated inspections:
1. Omission of BIS Certification:
Clauses related to mandatory BIS Certification for certain food products (including packaged drinking water) have been omitted. This indicates a regulatory shift, potentially delegating certification responsibility or modifying compliance requirements.
2. Inspection of Manufacturers:
The order outlines changes regarding the inspection process for manufacturers:
Specific details about the nature and scope of inspections may no longer reference previously mandatory BIS protocols.
Manufacturers might need to adhere to updated FSSAI guidelines for inspections and compliance.
3. Inspection Frequency:
Frequency of inspections for manufacturers of packaged drinking water and non-alcoholic beverages may have been updated:
It suggests a move towards a risk-based inspection framework, where high-risk categories could face more frequent inspections.
Lower-risk categories or compliant manufacturers might experience reduced inspection frequency to streamline oversight.
4. Other Relevant Amendments:
The general regulatory focus appears to be on reducing redundancy (e.g., removing duplicate certification processes like BIS) while strengthening direct oversight under FSSAI.
Packaged drinking water manufacturers must adhere strictly to the FSSAI’s revised standards for production and packaging.
In summary, the amendments simplify compliance by removing some previous certifications (like BIS), focusing on direct FSSAI oversight, and potentially altering inspection frequency to be risk-oriented.
This aligns with FSSAI’s goal of improving efficiency in regulating high-risk categories like packaged drinking water and non-alcoholic beverages.
FSSAI has recently removed the necessity for FBOs to obtain AGMARK, BIS/ISI Certifications for their Food Products and FSSAI Licensing norms will redefine the Certification, Inspection norms that are needed for FBOs.
Source : FSSAI Advisory dated Nov 29th 2024
