In a decisive move to strengthen food safety standards, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has mandated 100% inspection of all packaged drinking water facilities across Maharashtra. The directive, aimed at ensuring the safety and quality of drinking water, was issued during a high-level review meeting held on Friday.
FSSAI CEO G Kamala Vardhana Rao emphasized the need for bi-annual compliance checks at packaged water manufacturing units. He stressed that such proactive monitoring is essential to protect public health and maintain consumer trust in basic consumables like bottled water.
Rao also highlighted the importance of improving food hygiene practices among street food vendors, calling for a collective effort to raise awareness and enforce safety protocols at the grassroots level.
During the meeting, Maharashtra’s Food Safety Commissioner Rajesh J Narvekar shared updates on key initiatives being undertaken in the state. He announced that the ‘Eat Right Place of Worship’ certification—part of FSSAI’s nationwide hygiene and safety drive—was awarded to the Swamy Samarth Trust and the Shirdi Sai Baba Temple. The recognition acknowledges their significant contributions towards promoting safe food handling and hygiene practices in community kitchens and temple premises.
The latest inspection mandate comes amid growing concerns about the safety of bottled water, particularly during the summer months when demand increases. FSSAI’s directive aims to eliminate potential lapses in quality control and ensure that every facility adheres strictly to prescribed standards.
This move is part of FSSAI’s broader ‘Eat Right India’ initiative, which seeks to transform India’s food ecosystem through better regulatory oversight, public participation, and industry accountability.