While the change aims to simplify regulations, it imposes stricter safety requirements for manufacturers and processors. Credit: Narong Khueankaew/Shutterstock.

Packaged drinking water and mineral water have been categorised as “high-risk” products by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).  

The change follows the government’s October decision to eliminate the need for Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification for these products.

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According to local reports, industry representatives had asked India’s government to remove the requirement for BIS certification to end the need to obtain two sets of certificates – from BIS and the FSSAI.

In a statement, the FSSAI said: “It has been decided that ‘Packaged Drinking Water and Mineral Water’ (for which BIS certification was mandatory prior to Gazette notification of Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) first Amendment Regulations, 2024 dated 17 October 2024) will be treated under ‘High Risk Food Categories.” 

The updated guidelines require manufacturers to undergo mandatory inspections prior to securing a licence or registration. 

In addition, the agency reiterated that “all centrally licensed manufacturers under high-risk food categories shall get its business audited by FSSAI-recognised third party food safety auditing agency every year”. 

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The FSSAI defines high-risk foods as those requiring regular, risk-based inspections and annual audits.  

Other products in the category include dairy products, meat and poultry, fish and seafood, as well as specialised nutritional foods. 

These categories are subject to periodic inspections by designated food safety officers, with progress monitored by food commissioners in each state and union territory.