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India’s food regulator has seized stocks worth over ₹31 lakh from a Gujarat-based alkaline water manufacturer after finding multiple violations related to labelling norms and the use of a non-permitted ingredient, underscoring tighter scrutiny on niche packaged drinking water products.
The Western Regional Office of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) initiated enforcement action following a consumer complaint filed through the Food Safety Connect portal.
According to an official statement issued on May 7, the complaint alleged that the Food Business Operator (FBO) had failed to address consumer grievances, prompting authorities to conduct a post-license inspection at the company’s manufacturing facility in Savli, Vadodara, Gujarat.
During the inspection, officials found several irregularities in the product’s packaging and quality parameters. These included the absence of the product name on the front panel of the packaging, missing declaration of ingredients, and visible black particles in the finished product.
Regulatory officials also observed unexplained blackish-brown coloration and sediments in the product, along with contradictory descriptions between the primary and secondary packaging material.
Given the seriousness of the findings, authorities seized stocks valued at around ₹31.61 lakh and initiated proceedings under the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006.
Subsequent laboratory analysis confirmed the presence of fulvic acid, which is currently not permitted under prevailing FSSAI regulations for such products. Investigators found that the substance originated from the addition of black mineral material and was not naturally present in the source or processed water.
The regulator said this established a “clear violation” of prescribed food safety standards.
The action comes amid growing consumer demand for premium hydration products, including alkaline and mineral-enhanced water variants, a category that has seen rapid expansion in urban markets due to increasing health-conscious consumption trends.
However, industry experts say the segment also faces heightened regulatory scrutiny because of aggressive health claims, evolving standards, and concerns around product composition and transparency in labelling.
Under India’s food safety framework, packaged drinking water manufacturers are required to comply with strict norms governing ingredient disclosure, product claims, permissible additives, and labelling declarations.
FSSAI reiterated that it remains committed to ensuring that food products sold in the market are safe, accurately labelled, and compliant with statutory standards.
The regulator has in recent years intensified surveillance and enforcement actions across packaged food and beverage categories, particularly where products are marketed using wellness-linked positioning or specialised health claims.
The Western Regional Office of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) initiated enforcement action following a consumer complaint filed through the Food Safety Connect portal.
According to an official statement issued on May 7, the complaint alleged that the Food Business Operator (FBO) had failed to address consumer grievances, prompting authorities to conduct a post-license inspection at the company’s manufacturing facility in Savli, Vadodara, Gujarat.
During the inspection, officials found several irregularities in the product’s packaging and quality parameters. These included the absence of the product name on the front panel of the packaging, missing declaration of ingredients, and visible black particles in the finished product.
Regulatory officials also observed unexplained blackish-brown coloration and sediments in the product, along with contradictory descriptions between the primary and secondary packaging material.
Given the seriousness of the findings, authorities seized stocks valued at around ₹31.61 lakh and initiated proceedings under the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006.
Subsequent laboratory analysis confirmed the presence of fulvic acid, which is currently not permitted under prevailing FSSAI regulations for such products. Investigators found that the substance originated from the addition of black mineral material and was not naturally present in the source or processed water.
The regulator said this established a “clear violation” of prescribed food safety standards.
The action comes amid growing consumer demand for premium hydration products, including alkaline and mineral-enhanced water variants, a category that has seen rapid expansion in urban markets due to increasing health-conscious consumption trends.
However, industry experts say the segment also faces heightened regulatory scrutiny because of aggressive health claims, evolving standards, and concerns around product composition and transparency in labelling.
Under India’s food safety framework, packaged drinking water manufacturers are required to comply with strict norms governing ingredient disclosure, product claims, permissible additives, and labelling declarations.
FSSAI reiterated that it remains committed to ensuring that food products sold in the market are safe, accurately labelled, and compliant with statutory standards.
The regulator has in recent years intensified surveillance and enforcement actions across packaged food and beverage categories, particularly where products are marketed using wellness-linked positioning or specialised health claims.
