Karnataka shuts down seven water‑bottling units over safety breaches

Seven packaged drinking water units were shut down across Karnataka after a state‑wide special inspection found major safety breaches. The Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration cited severe unhygienic conditions, operation without the required FSSAI licence and refusal to cooperate with inspectors. The drive inspected 102 units on Oct 29‑30 and collected 69 water samples for lab testing. Notices were served to 53 food business operators for various infractions. On the second day, 57 units were checked and 37 samples taken; 29 notices were issued for issues such as missing medical certificates for handlers, labeling defects, absent water analysis reports and lack of pest‑control certificates. Seized were 82 cases of one‑litre bottles worth ₹7,380 from M.S. Food and Beverages in Devanahalli after labeling flaws were found. Units closed for unhygienic conditions included S.P. Food and Beverages (Hassan), Avanti Industries (Bengaluru Urban) and Sai Ram Food Beverages (Bidar). Om Shakthi Minerals (Bengaluru Urban), Nandi Food and Beverages (Kalaburagi) and Dalia Beverages (Mysuru Rural) were ordered to close for operating without an FSSAI licence, with Nandi also flagged for poor hygiene. Aqua Refresh in Kalaburagi was sealed for not cooperating with the inspection. All collected samples have been sent to government labs to verify compliance with food‑safety standards. The department warned that the inspection will continue statewide and that strict legal action will follow any breach of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Context

The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 empowers state authorities to ensure drinking water meets health standards. Packaged water is a common source for safe drinking, so violations can affect public health. Regular inspections and lab tests help prevent contaminated water from reaching consumers.