India
Karnataka Sees Seven Packaged Water Units Shut Down for Major Violations
Karnataka’s Food Safety and Drug Administration closed seven packaged drinking water units across the state for serious violations, including severe unhygienic conditions, operating without mandatory licences and non‑cooperation with inspection teams, as part of a statewide special inspection drive. The agency seized 82 cases of one‑litre packaged drinking water bottles, worth ₹7,380, from M.S. Food and Beverages in Devanahalli taluk of Bengaluru Rural district after finding labelling defects. Between October 29 and 30, 102 units were inspected, 69 water samples were collected for laboratory analysis and notices were issued to 53 food business operators for various violations. On the second day, 57 units were inspected and 37 samples were taken; notices were issued to 29 units for unhygienic conditions, lack of medical certificates for food handlers, labelling defects, absence of water analysis reports and missing mandatory pest‑control certificates. Units closed included S.P. Food and Beverages in Hassan district, Avanti Industries in Bengaluru Urban district and Sai Ram Food Beverages in Bidar district for severe unhygienic conditions; Om Shakthi Minerals in Bengaluru Urban, Nandi Food and Beverages in Kalaburagi and Dalia Beverages in Mysuru Rural for operating without the mandatory Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licence; Nandi Food and Beverages also had unhygienic conditions. Aqua Refresh Packaged Drinking Water Unit in Kalaburagi district was shut down after the unit failed to cooperate during inspection and investigation. Samples collected during the inspections have been sent to government food laboratories to assess their quality and compliance with prescribed food safety standards. The department said the special inspection drive would continue across the state and warned that stringent legal action would be initiated against packaged drinking water units found violating the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the rules framed under it.
Frequently asked questions
How many packaged water units were inspected during the special drive?
102 units were inspected on the first day and 57 on the second day, totaling 159 units inspected.
What violations led to the shutdown of the seven units?
Severe unhygienic conditions, operating without mandatory FSSAI licences, labelling defects, lack of medical certificates for food handlers, missing pest‑control certificates, and failure to cooperate during inspection.
What actions were taken against the units found violating regulations?
The Food Safety and Drug Administration seized 82 cases of packaged water, issued notices to 53 operators, closed seven units, and sent samples to government laboratories for testing; it warned of stringent legal action.