Sentinel Digital Desk
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has classified packaged drinking water as a "high-risk" food category, emphasizing the need for stricter safety measures and inspections to ensure public health.
High-risk foods are those with a greater potential for contamination, poor storage, or mishandling. They include raw meat, fish, dairy products, freshly cut fruits, vegetables, ready-to-eat meals, juices, and soft drinks.
On November 29, FSSAI issued an order explaining that packaged drinking water and mineral water were classified as high-risk due to the removal of mandatory Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification for certain products.
With this classification, packaged drinking water will now undergo mandatory risk inspections to ensure it meets safety standards before reaching consumers.