BIS certification mandatory for packaged drinking water, says Nagaland Health dept.

DIMAPUR — The Department of Health and Family Welfare has reminded all manufacturers and suppliers of Packaged Drinking Water (PDW) that Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) license is mandatory, irrespective of the annual turnover.

According to a DIPR report, the department noted that many PDW manufacturers and suppliers in the state are functioning without BIS license, which is a precondition to apply for FSSAI registration.

“Consumption of clean and safe drinking water is a human fundamental right which is crucial in maintaining good health, and it is the responsibility of the PDW manufacturer/supplier to provide clean, hygienic and safe water to its customers,” the department stated.

The department also pointed out that Regulation 2.3.14 (17) and (18) of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restriction on Sales) Regulations, 2011, states that “No person shall manufacture, sell or exhibit for sale, Packaged Drinking Water (PDW) and Mineral Water (MW) except under the Bureau of Indian Standards Certification Mark.”

Further, any import of PDW or mineral water from outside the state without BIS certification will not allowed for sale within the state, it stated.

Failure to comply with the guidelines will attract penalty under section 58 and 63 of Food Safety and Standards Act’ 2006, the department cautioned.

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