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DIMAPUR — The Department of Health and Family Welfare (HFW), Nagaland, has cautioned manufacturers of packaged drinking water (PDW) and mineral water (MW) operating in the state without the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification mark.
According to a DIPR report, the department has been alerted to several PDW and MW manufacturers operating without the mandatory BIS certification.
The department emphasised that under regulations 2.3.14 (17) and (18) of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restriction on Sales) Regulations, 2011, the manufacture, sale, or display for sale of PDW and MW without the BIS certification mark is strictly prohibited.
Additionally, Section 31 of the FSS Act, 2006, mandates all Food Business Operators (FBOs) to obtain a licence and registration before commencing any food business.
The department clarified that while packaged drinking water can be sold in bottles or PET jars, including 20-litre jars, all manufacturers, regardless of scale, must obtain a BIS licence, which is a prerequisite for obtaining the necessary FSSAI licence or registration.
Accordingly, the FSSAI has laid down procedures for PDW and MW manufacturers applying for licences.
Firstly, FBOs must submit a copy of their BIS licence or an acknowledgement letter for a pending BIS licence application through the online FoSCoS system.
After obtaining a BIS licence, FBOs should update their details through the annual return on FoSCoS.
The BIS licence is a mandatory document for licence renewals, and in the event of the closure or rejection of applications, FBOs must inform the relevant licencing authority, and the FSSAI or the licence is liable to be rejected, suspended or cancelled, the department stated.
Failure to comply will attract a penalty under sections 58 and 63 of the Food Safety and Standards Act’ 2006, it added.