Seven packaged drinking water units closed for violations in Karnataka

Bengaluru Karnataka’s Food Safety and Drug Administration has closed seven packaged drinking water units across Karnataka for major violations, including severe unhygienic conditions, operating without mandatory licences and non-cooperation with inspection teams, as part of a Statewide special inspection drive. Officials also seized 82 cases of one-litre packaged drinking water bottles, valued at ₹7,380, from M.S.

Food and Beverages in Devanahalli taluk of Bengaluru Rural district after detecting labelling defects. As many as 102 packaged drinking water units were inspected between October 29 and 30, 69 water samples collected for laboratory analysis and issued notices to 53 food business operators (FBOs) for various violations. On the second day of the drive (October 30), officials inspected 57 units and collected 37 samples for testing.

Notices were issued to 29 units for violations, including unhygienic conditions, absence of medical certificates for food handlers, labelling defects, non-availability of water analysis reports and lack of mandatory pest control certificates. CUT FOR PRINTAmong the units closed were S.P. Food and Beverages in Hassan district, Avanti Industries in Bengaluru Urban district and Sai Ram Food Beverages in Bidar district for severe unhygienic conditions.

Om Shakthi Minerals in Bengaluru Urban, Nandi Food and Beverages in Kalaburagi and Dalia Beverages in Mysuru Rural were shut down for operating without the mandatory Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licence. Nandi Food and Beverages was also found to be maintaining unhygienic conditions. Aqua Refresh Packaged Drinking Water Unit in Kalaburagi district was closed following non-cooperation during inspection and investigation.

The samples collected during the inspections have been sent to government food laboratories to assess their quality and compliance with prescribed food safety standards. The department said the special inspection drive would continue across the State and warned that stringent legal action would be initiated against packaged drinking water units found violating the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the rules framed under it.