Get FSSAI Registration for Packaged Drinking Water in India

Introduction 

In the case of India, FSSAI is the highest authority that guarantees safety and quality towards food products, like packaged drinking water, which is now very popular lately. Due to growing demand and with a view to keep on maintaining the safety standards, the makers of packaged drinking water are compelled to enlist with FSSAI. This article communicates all essentials regarding what is required to gain an FSSAI licence on packaged drinking water: requirements, the process of licensing, and compliance standards. 

Why is FSSAI Registration Important for Packaged Drinking Water?

Water is indeed very essential for a human to survive in this place. Accounting for approximately 60% of the human body, it finds its basis on ensuring that the body functions perfectly. Pure drinking water is a precursor for excellent health, while dirty or polluted water can lead to major health problems.

FSSAI requires all makers to ensure bottled drinking water is safe by making them register and get a licence. This registration will ensure the water is clean, pure, and safe for people to use. FSSAI license indicates the customers’ confidence in its safety and government standards after checking the product.

Read blog: FSSAI Registration Online in India

Types of FSSAI Licences for Packaged Drinking Water

There will be of different sizes and different concerns, and FSSAI provides three types of licences according to the yearly income that the business makes and where it operates.

1. FSSAI Basic License: This is for small operators or retailers who make less than Rs. 12 lakh a year. This licence is good for local businesses that don’t operate on a large scale.
2. FSSAI State License: For medium-level firms between Rs. 12 lakh and Rs. 20 crores annually, it is for a firm-specific, state-level packaged water business.
3. FSSAI Central License: This is for big operations or manufacturers that make more than Rs. 20 crore each year, or those which work in several states. Any national-level manufacturer requires this license.

Sources of Packaged Drinking Water

According to FSSAI, packaged drinking water may be obtained from the natural source listed below:

• Bore wells
• Springs
• Rivers
• Public water supplies
• Seawater desalinated

However, waters of such areas must be purified and treated appropriately in order to be FSSAI compliant. However, these are some common treatments:

• Filtration
• Reverse osmosis
• Aerating
• Demineralization and remineralization
• Chemical disinfection

These steps ensure that water is clean and free from bad germs and observable by hygiene standards before being packaged and put on sale.

FSSAI Manufacturing Standards for Packaged Water

None of the following microorganisms should be found in 250 ml sample of packaged water:

• Escherichia coli (E. coli)
• Coliform bacteria
• Fecal streptococci
• Salmonella Typhi
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• Yeast and mold
• Vibrio cholerae

FSSAI Packaging and Labelling Requirements

Packaging and labelling are very much necessary to make the packaged drinking water safe and original. Here, FSSAI has made clear guidelines for packaging and labelling itself so that consumers’ trust is saved and for clarification. 

These are:

Packaging: The water should be put in clean and safe bottles, made from food-safe materials. Bottles must be transparent and free of harmful chemicals so that they do not leach chemicals in the water.

Labelling: Each bottled water shall conspicuously display the following:

• Concept of Packaged Drinking Water
• The manufacturer’s FSSAI licence number
• The batch or code number
• Date-manufactured and best by date.
• “Crush the bottle after use” (for environmental safety)
• Maximum retail price (MRP)

Prohibited Claims: Bottled water may not make claims that water heals or is good for one’s health. Also, names of places (“Himalayan Water”) could not be used unless the water came from that place.

FSSAI Registration Process for Packaged Drinking Water

After all that, you have the FSSAI licence for packaged drinking water. The whole process covers several procedures as follows:

• Visit the FSSAI Website: Navigate to the official website of FSSAI and create an account. Once an applicant registers, he logs in to his account and fills the form for an FSSAI licence fresh. The applicant has to assure that all the details which he will be filling are correct.
• Submit Documents: The following documents will be submitted: a water analyst report and proof of the business, their address, and ID proof for the business owners.
• Pay Fees: Applicable registration fees are payable based on the licence type, whether it is Basic, State, or Central.
• Track application status: Upon submission of the application, an application number is received, and this is used to track the progress of the application.

Conclusion

The FSSAI sets explicit standards from raw sourcing to purification, packaging, and labelling. Manufacturers meet the legal requirements, build confidence among consumers, and make a significant contribution to better public health and safety by being compliant with the regulations. Be it small, medium or large, obtaining an FSSAI license is not optional but a must-do for legitimizing operations in the packaged drinking water space in India.