As consumer awareness grows regarding industry standards and compliance in the packaged drinking water sector, recent declarations by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) have emphasized the importance of stringent testing for ensuring water safety. Dr. Saurabh Arora, Managing Director of Auriga Research, a testing facility adhering to FSSAI and Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) guidelines, sheds light on the comprehensive testing procedures that guarantee the safety of packaged water.
The Importance of Guidelines
Packaged drinking water has become a staple for many consumers, whether during travel or at home, with many relying on 20-litre water containers due to the perceived safety over tap water. This confidence in bottled water has developed over the years thanks to stringent regulatory frameworks and some of the world’s strictest quality standards for water. However, two decades ago, such clear guidelines were non-existent, and the quality of bottled water was questionable. A major public outcry, fueled by the discovery of pesticide residues in both water and carbonated beverages, led to the implementation of strict regulatory measures.
Compliance Ensures Safety
In response to these concerns, the BIS introduced various benchmarks, including IS 14543 for packaged drinking water and IS 13428 for packaged natural mineral water. These standards cover water quality as well as packaging materials, such as bottles, pouches, and large containers. To sell packaged water in India, businesses must hold a valid BIS license, though some unscrupulous players have sidestepped these regulations.
Testing Protocols for Water Quality
At the factory level, daily testing is mandatory to check basic parameters like pH, dissolved solids, and conductivity. Weekly tests cover more advanced parameters, while monthly, biannual, and yearly tests are conducted by BIS-approved third-party labs. These comprehensive tests assess hundreds of variables that could affect water quality, including microbiological tests for bacteria, fungal counts, and pathogens.
Packaging Material Testing
Even the packaging material used for bottled water undergoes rigorous testing. Key factors such as dimension, strength, and vulnerability to leakage are checked. Additionally, it is essential to ensure that no harmful chemicals, such as plasticizers, leach from the plastic. Organoleptic tests assess the water’s smell and taste to ensure they meet high-quality standards. These regulations ensure that the water adheres to the strictest standards in the world.
The Role of FSSAI in Water Quality
In an important move to streamline regulations, FSSAI now allows the production and sale of packaged drinking water with only an FSSAI license, eliminating the need for a separate BIS license. This change aims to simplify the process for food businesses and reduce regulatory burdens. However, packaged drinking water remains classified as “high-risk food,” meaning it must undergo third-party audits and six-monthly testing at NABL-accredited labs. These audits must be completed until the firm clears them, ensuring compliance with the stringent quality parameters set by both FSSAI and BIS.
The Future of Water Testing
With the simplified regulatory framework in place, the role of testing becomes even more critical. To maintain water quality, businesses will require advanced testing technologies such as gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and a comprehensive microbiology suite. Additionally, testing for viruses and radioactivity will be necessary to ensure the continued safety of packaged drinking water.
As FSSAI’s new regulations take shape, it is clear that the future of packaged drinking water will rely heavily on advanced testing, compliance, and ongoing oversight to ensure the water consumers drink is both safe and of the highest quality.
