Relevant for Exams
FSSAI tightens packaged water testing norms, drops BIS mandate; new scheme from January 1.
Summary
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has introduced a new, stricter scheme for testing packaged drinking water and mineral water. This significant regulatory update replaces the previous mandate of compliance with Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) norms. Manufacturers are required to adhere to these new FSSAI standards starting January 1, making it a key development for consumer safety and regulatory affairs relevant for competitive exams.
Key Points
- 1The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has devised a new scheme for testing packaged drinking water and mineral water.
- 2FSSAI has officially dropped the previous mandate requiring packaged water manufacturers to comply with Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) norms.
- 3Manufacturers of packaged drinking water and mineral water are directed to comply with the new FSSAI testing scheme from January 1.
- 4The new FSSAI scheme aims to tighten testing norms to enhance the safety and quality of packaged water products.
- 5Consumer groups have urged authorities to ensure periodic inspections at manufacturing plants and to shut down unauthorized units.
In-Depth Analysis
The recent directive from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to implement a new, stricter testing regime for packaged drinking water and mineral water, while simultaneously dropping the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) mandate, marks a significant shift in India's food safety landscape. This move, effective January 1, aims to enhance consumer safety and streamline regulatory oversight.
**Background Context and What Happened:**
India is one of the largest consumers of packaged drinking water globally, driven by concerns over tap water quality, increased urbanization, and changing lifestyles. This burgeoning market necessitated robust regulation to ensure public health. Previously, packaged water manufacturers were primarily required to comply with BIS standards, specifically IS 14543 for packaged drinking water and IS 13428 for packaged natural mineral water. BIS, established under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, is India's national standards body responsible for standardization, marking, and quality certification of goods. While BIS provided a quality assurance mark, FSSAI, established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, is the overarching authority for food safety and standards. The new development sees FSSAI devising its own comprehensive scheme for testing, effectively taking over the primary regulatory role from BIS in this specific domain. This means manufacturers will now directly adhere to FSSAI's stringent testing protocols, which are expected to be more detailed and frequent, moving beyond a mere 'quality mark' to a proactive safety assurance system.
**Key Stakeholders Involved:**
Several key players are central to this regulatory change. Firstly, the **Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)** is the primary driver and enforcer of these new norms. Its mandate is to ensure food safety and quality across the nation. Secondly, the **Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)**, while no longer the primary standard-setter for packaged water, continues its broader role in industrial standardization. Thirdly, **Packaged Water Manufacturers** are directly impacted, requiring them to adapt their production processes, quality control measures, and testing infrastructure to meet the new FSSAI guidelines. This could involve significant investment and operational adjustments. Fourthly, **Consumers** are the ultimate beneficiaries, as improved testing norms promise safer and higher-quality drinking water. Lastly, **Consumer Groups** play a crucial role in advocating for rigorous enforcement, periodic inspections, and the closure of unauthorized units, ensuring the new regulations translate into tangible safety improvements on the ground. State Food Safety Departments will be crucial for ground-level implementation and enforcement.
**Significance for India and Historical Context:**
This regulatory tightening is crucial for India for several reasons. From a **public health** perspective, access to safe drinking water is fundamental, and this move directly addresses potential health hazards from contaminated packaged water. It reinforces the spirit of **Article 21 of the Indian Constitution**, which guarantees the 'Right to Life,' interpreted by the Supreme Court to include the right to a clean environment and safe drinking water. Furthermore, **Article 47 of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)** mandates the State to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living and to improve public health. The FSSAI's action aligns perfectly with this constitutional directive. Historically, India's food safety regime was fragmented, governed by multiple acts like the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. The enactment of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, consolidated these laws under a single authority, FSSAI, to provide a more holistic and effective framework. This current move signifies FSSAI's maturing role, taking full ownership of standards even where other bodies like BIS previously had a presence.
**Future Implications and Related Policies:**
The future implications are multi-faceted. We can expect a significant improvement in the quality and safety of packaged drinking water, leading to enhanced consumer trust. However, the stricter norms may also lead to increased compliance costs for manufacturers, potentially impacting smaller players and leading to market consolidation. Robust enforcement mechanisms, including regular inspections and strict penalties for non-compliance, will be critical for the success of this initiative. The government's broader commitment to ensuring safe drinking water is also evident in initiatives like the **Jal Jeevan Mission**, which aims to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections by 2024. The **Consumer Protection Act, 2019**, provides consumers with avenues for redressal against unfair trade practices and defective products, complementing FSSAI's regulatory role. This FSSAI initiative demonstrates a proactive approach to food safety, setting a precedent for other food categories and reinforcing India's commitment to public health and robust governance in the food sector.
Exam Tips
This topic falls under 'Governance,' 'Social Justice,' and 'Indian Economy' sections for UPSC Civil Services Exam (Prelims & Mains GS-II, GS-III). For SSC, Banking, Railway, and State PSC exams, it's relevant for General Awareness/Current Affairs, focusing on regulatory bodies and government initiatives.
Study the roles and mandates of key regulatory bodies like FSSAI and BIS. Understand the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016. Connect this to broader themes of public health, consumer protection (Consumer Protection Act, 2019), and the Right to Life (Article 21).
Common question patterns include: identifying the primary regulator for food safety, comparing FSSAI and BIS functions, asking about the constitutional provisions related to safe drinking water, and implications of such regulatory changes on industry and consumers. Be prepared for both factual and analytical questions.
Related Topics to Study
Full Article
Regulator devises scheme for testing packaged drinking water and mineral water; directs manufacturers to comply with it from January 1; consumer groups urge authorities to ensure periodic inspections at plants and shut unauthorised units

