Karnataka Cracks Down on Packaged Drinking Water Units, 12 Shut Down

The Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Department launched a statewide crackdown on packaged drinking water units, resulting in the shutdown of 12 establishments for serious violations during a two-day inspection drive conducted on October 29 and 30. This special enforcement drive was carried out by the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) under the direction of Health Minister U.T. Khader, aiming to prevent the sale of contaminated and unsafe packaged drinking water.

Minister Khader reported that a total of 102 packaged drinking water units were inspected across the state. Officials collected 69 water samples, which have been sent to government laboratories for quality testing, and issued notices to 53 units and business operators for various violations. Inspections revealed several irregularities, including production under unhygienic conditions, operating without a valid Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licence, the absence of water quality analysis reports, and various labelling violations. Additionally, food-handling staff were found without valid medical certificates, and some units lacked pest control certificates.

Among the 12 units shut down, three were located in the Mysuru region, with others found in Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Kolar, Hassan, Kalaburagi, Bidar, and Davanagere. Specific establishments closed include SMR Aqua Minerals in Mulbagal, Kolar; S.P. Food and Beverages in Hassan; Avanti Industries and Om Shakthi Minerals in Madanayakanahalli, Bengaluru Urban; Aqua Refresh and Nandi Food and Beverages in Kalaburagi; Sai Ram Food Beverages in Bidar; Dalia Beverages in Mysuru Rural; Shri Devi Enterprises and Shri Durga Enterprises in Mysuru; Chiranthan Food and Beverages in Davanagere; and M.S. Food and Beverages in Devanahalli, Bengaluru Rural.

While many units were shut due to unhygienic manufacturing conditions and the lack of mandatory licences, Aqua Refresh in Kalaburagi was closed for allegedly refusing to cooperate with inspecting officials. At M.S. Food and Beverages in Devanahalli, officials seized 82 cases of packaged drinking water due to labelling violations. On October 30, the second day of the operation, officials inspected 57 units, collected 37 water samples, issued notices to 29 establishments, and shut down eight units for serious violations.

Khader warned that units whose water samples fail laboratory tests would face stringent legal action under the Food Safety and Standards Act. Emphasizing the importance of safe drinking water, the minister stated that the enforcement drive would continue across all districts of Karnataka and that violations would invite strict action. He also urged consumers to check the FSSAI licence number, ISI mark, manufacturing date, and seal integrity before purchasing packaged drinking water, and encouraged them to report violations through the QR code provided by the department.

What to watch: The continued enforcement drive results across Karnataka.

Editor's note: The article is well-structured, covers all facts provided in the source text, and includes the specific details of the crackdown effectively.