Is the packaged water that you are buying genuine?

Whether we are at home or going out we need water all the time. Whenever we buy a water bottle, below are the basic checks that we perform:

• • • Is the bottle sealed properly?
    • Is the brand name spelled correctly? For example: “BISLERI” is not spelled as “BILSERI”.

If you go through newspapers, you will find packaged drinking water scams happening across the country. Several unlicensed water purifying plants are compromising on the defined norms and supplying water that is causing health hazards. Our acceptance that packaged water is safe for drinking is being manipulated by several players. Increasing demand for 20 liters water cans at home and purchasing water bottles from shops, when outside, has added to the demand in the industry. Therefore, it is extremely important that the water can/water bottle that we buy is checked for authenticity before consumption. Even if you order from a regular dealer, it is worth to check the authenticity of the packaged drinking water.

Government bodies regulating packaged water bottle Industry

Let us now understand who regulates the packaged drinking water industry. The industry is regulated by:

BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) is the National Standard body of India established to provide traceability and tangibility benefits to the national economy by

• • • providing safe reliable quality goods,
    • minimizing health hazards to the consumers,
    • controlling over proliferation of varieties,
    • promoting import-export substitutes.

The ISI (Indian Standards Institution) mark printed on the label of the water can/ bottle is issued by BIS and it certifies that the product follows the Indian Standards established by BIS.

FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) is a body corporate established under the Ministry of Health and Family welfare with the mandate of ensuring that food products undergo quality check thereby curtailing food adulteration and sale of substandard goods.

Besides other mandatory approvals, packaged drinking water plants should have approvals from both BIS as well as FSSAI. While the BIS is a body which regulates industrial standards and has a wide scope, FSSAI specifically addresses regulations and norms for food safety and adulteration. Hence FSSAI approvals and licensing are important for packaged drinking water. As reported by one of the newspapers, only few units are operating with both BIS and FSSAI licenses. Usually units acquire the license from BIS, but don’t get the required FSSAI approvals. FSSAI have been impressing upon the state authorities to check for proper registration of packaged drinking water plants. (Source article)

Checking the authenticity of Water Bottle

When you are out and grabbing a water bottle from a store, you don’t have much time to do a detailed check. Below mentioned quick checks will help you verify the authenticity of the bottle:

• • • Check the spelling of the brand name thoroughly.
    • Every bottle should have the batch number and manufacturing date printed on the body of the bottle. (not on the label)
    • The bottle should have the ISI mark and FSSAI mark mentioned on the label.
    • Check for the expiry date. An authentic bottle will always carry an expiry date.
    • Check for the name and address of the manufacturing unit on the label.
    • The cap should be sealed properly.
    • The label should have a clear and readable print.

Checking the authenticity of Water Can

• • • Check for ISI mark on the water can. ISI mark is awarded by BIS which signifies the authenticity of the can. However, the ISI mark can be faked. Hence to verify the authenticity of the ISI mark check for two things:

1. 1. • 1. 1. The ISI mark has a IS number (IS XXXXX) on top of the monogram.
           2. Along with the ISI mark there is a 7digit license number (CM/L XXXXXXX) which is printed below the ISI mark. This seven-digit CM/L number helps in identifying the unit which has manufactured the product.
      • Check for the FSSAI mark on the label of the water can along with the FSSAI License number. FSSAI mark on the water bottle represents that the packed water is fully disinfected; desalinized if required and has undergone all the specific treatments which makes it apt for consumption.
      • Further one can verify the authenticity of the FSSAI License number/ BIS License number at this website https://safewater.fssai.gov.in .Once you enter the FSSAI License number or the BIS License number, the site gives you details about water hardness, presence/ absence of pesticides residue and heavy metals, microbiological/ bacterial contamination etc. Further if you click on view report, it will give you a detailed report about the quality of water.
      • Check for packaging number, batch number on the label as an authentic can will always have it.
      • An authentic water can will carry the manufacturing date, name of the manufacturing plant and its license number.
      • Check for the logo of the brand on the water can. Most of the branded water can manufacturers have their logo embossed on the bottle caps.

These checks can help you from being duped and be sure that the water you are consuming is genuine. Safe drinking water is a necessity to ensure good health. So, take an extra step, perform your checks thoroughly before buying or consuming packaged drinking water.