FSSAI Food License

FSSAI License for Packaged Drinking Water

FSSAI Registration is applicable to all type of packaged water for drinking. In recent years the FSSAI Department has become more proactive for proper compliance by the FBO in Water packaging business. In this article, we will tell you everything regarding FSSAI License for packaged drinking water.

Definition of Packaged Drinking Water

The regulations for packaged water for drinking came into force on 1^st March 2017. It provided definition of packaged drinking water. Packaged water is water, other than natural mineral water, that is likely to be used for human consumption and that is offered or sold in packaged form, by whatever name it may be called, offered or sold.

Need for FSSAI License for Packaged Drinking Water

We know that Water has been and will be the most important part of mankind. Right from evolution to survival, water has been an integral part of nature. It covers around 70 % of the Earth’s surface and approximately 55% to 78% of a human body. Safe Drinking is essential to humans and other living beings, even though it provides no calories or organic nutrients. To function properly, the human body requires between 4-7 litres of water per day to avoid dehydration and for the appropriate functioning of the human body.

Therefore FSSAI has mandated license for selling of packaged drinking water. FSSAI License is provided under the control of Government of India and the Ministry of Health and Family affairs.

It may be noted that FSSAI License is of three types and it depends on the annual turnover of the packaged drinking water plant. In the next segment we have discussed the different types of Licenses.

Which category of FSSAI License is applicable to packaged drinking water?

1. FSSAI Basic License – Only for the retailer, if your estimated annual turnover is less than Rs. 12 Lac
2. FSSAI State license – If your estimated annual turnover is more than Rs. 12 lac and less than 20 Cr.
3. FSSAI Central License – If your annual turnover is more than Rs. 20 Cr or Water factory in more than 2 states.

Packaged water has also been covered under the FSSAI regulations^[1]. The FSSAI, by a notification dated 15 November 2016 has made amendments to standards in the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011 related to packaged drinking water under the regulation on ‘Beverages’.

Source of Packaged Water

The FSSAI has laid down that the water for packaging can be derived from the following sources:

However, the manufacturers will need to pay attention to the following FSSAI licensing and standards so as to ensure that it is safe for drinking and does not cause any harm. As per the FSSAI standards:

• The packaged water is required to undergo specific treatment like decantation, filtration, a combination of filtration, aerations, filtration with membrane filter depth filter, cartridge filter, activated carbon filtration, demineralization, remineralization, reverse osmosis etc.
• The packagers must ensure that the packaged water is fully disinfected by means of chemical agents or physical methods so that the level of microorganisms is below the scientifically accepted level for food safety or its suitability.
• In the case of Seawater, it must be desalinized before it is subject to the above treatments.
• Sealed containers of various compositions, forms and capacities should be used which are suitable for direct consumption.
• Where the water undergoes a process of remineralization, the ingredients used in the water will need to conform to food grade and pharma-grade quality.

Also, FSSAI has come up with a project by the name “The Project Clean Drinking Water” with an aim to build the consumer confidence for the packaged drinking water and to strive that consumers have the right to expect that the packaged drinking water/ beverage they purchase is safe and of high quality.

The Logo is required to be put on the drinking water. It is FSSAI’s promise or assurance regarding the purity of drinking water and that it is safe to consume, as it has been meticulously tested.

The encircling of the fingers symbolizes the complete purity of the packaged water, the blue colour inside depicts cleanliness (free from toxins and contaminants) and that the water is safe for mass consumption.

FSSAI Manufacturing Standards for packaged water business

Every manufacturer of packaged Drinking water is required to comply with the Microbiological standards for packaged drinking water: According to the standards a 250ml of packaged water must be free of the following microorganisms:

• Escherichia coli (or thermotolerant bacteria)
• Coliform bacteria
• Faecal Streptococci, and Staphylococcus aureus
• Salmonella Typhi
• Sulphate Reducing Anaerobes
• Pseudomonas aeruginosin
• Yeast and mold
• Salmonella and Shigella
• Vibrio cholera, and V. para hemolytic us

Besides the Microbiological standards, the manufacturer shall also comply with the following parameters specified by FSSAI. These are explained below –

• Organoleptic and physical parameters;
• General parameters concerning substances undesirable in excessive amounts;
• Parameters concerning the toxic substance;
• Parameters concerning radioactive residues;
• Parameters concerning pesticide residues.

The FSSAI (licensing and registration of food business operators) Regulations, 2011 provides that, it is mandatory to provide a water analyst’s report with respect to the water to be used while applying for State / Central license.

FSSAI Packaging & Labelling Requirements for Packaged Drinking Water

According to Section 2 of the Food Safety and Standards (packaging and labelling) regulations, 2011, the water should be packed in clean, hygienic, colourless, transparent and non-tampered bottles/containers made out of the following materials:

All packaging materials of plastic origin are required to pass the prescribed overall migration and color migration limits. Also, every package of drinking water is required to carry the below-mentioned declarations in capital letters as prescribed in Regulation 2.3.3 of FSSAI (Packaging & Labelling) Regulations, 2011:

• “PACKAGED DRINKING WATER”
• “NATURAL MINERAL WATER”
• “BEST BEFORE” (from the date of Manufacture)
• “CRUSH THE BOTTLE AFTER USE”

The Bottle / Container should also mention the date of manufacturing, the M.R.P, FSSAI License no. of the manufacturer and the marketing agency (if it is marketed by another party) and the expiry date.

The standards have also mentioned Labelling prohibitions for Drinking Water for both Packaged and Mineral Water. They are:

• No claims concerning medicinal (preventative, alleviative or curative) effects shall be made in respect of the properties of the product covered by the standard Claims of other beneficial effects related to the health of the consumer shall not be made.
• The name of the locality, hamlet or specified place may not form part of the trade name unless it refers to a packaged water collected at the place designated by that trade name.
• Use of any state or of any picture which may create confusion in the mind of the public or may mislead the public about the nature, origin, composition, and properties of such waters.

Online procedure of getting FSSAI License for Packaged Drinking Water

The following procedure should be followed:

• Visit the FSSAI website;
• Fill the sign up form with all necessary information;
• Check the e-mail address and phone number you provide is functioning;
• Once you fill the form, click on register to finish the sign up process;
• A user ID shall be created on successful sign up;
• Use it to apply for FSSAI License/Registration by filling the application form;
• Submit the required documents along with fees;
• You can track the status of your application using reference number. It will be provided to you once you submit the application.

It is advised that you should take the assistance of a professional to fill these Forms. This way you can submit your application much easily.

Conclusion

If you are planning to open a packaged drinking water plant, then make sure to get the FSSAI license. The type of License shall depend on the annual turnover of your business. For any additional information, contact Enterslice.

Read our article: Implications of Non Compliance with the Provisions of FSSAI